Usefulness of ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration cytology in the diagnosis of non-palpable small thyroid nodules: our growing experience.

摘要

AIMS AND BACKGROUND: Contradictory approaches have been suggested for the management of non-palpable thyroid nodules. The aim of our study is to evaluate indications and limits of ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration cytology (US-FNAC) in the management of non-palpable infracentimetric thyroid nodules. METHODS AND STUDY DESIGN: From September 2003 to June 2007 we studied 1043 patients with non-palpable thyroid nodules. We divided our series into three groups according to the diameter of the lesion in order to verify the effectiveness of US-FNAC for lesions <1 cm. RESULTS: We assessed the cases with satisfactory and unsatisfactory results in the 3 groups into which the sample was divided. Our statistical analysis using the z-test showed there was no significant (p=0.05) difference in the percentage distribution of the unsatisfactory results in the 3 groups. CONCLUSIONS: FNAC appears to be a useful diagnostic tool also for nodules <1 cm because the percentage of unsatisfactory results is not related to the size of the nodule.