TITLE:
Accuracy of Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology of Solitary Thyroid Nodules in Tertiary versus Community Hospital
AUTHORS:
H. M. El Hennawy, H. O. Abu Zaid, Imaad Bin Mujeeb, Eihab A. El Kahlout, El S. M. Bedair
KEYWORDS:
Needle Aspiration; Solitary Thyroid Nodules; Accuracy
JOURNAL NAME:
Surgical Science,
Vol.4 No.11,
November
26,
2013
ABSTRACT: Background: Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is considered as the
gold standard diagnostic test for the diagnosis of solitary
thyroidnodules (STN). Aim: To
compare the accuracy of FNAC in diagnosis of thyroid nodules in Al Khor
community hospital versus that of tertiary hospital (Hamad General Hospital)
in Qatar. Methods: Retrospective, descriptive and comparative
study of 320 patients of any age group and both sexes who have thyroid
nodules and are subjected to surgical treatment [160 patients from Al Khor community
hospital (group A) and 160 patients from Hamad General Hospital (group B)]
during the period from May 2005 to Dec 2012. Each group was subdivided into free hand
FNAC (done by physicians) and ultrasonography guided FNAC. All samples were
prepared in the same histopathology laboratory and interpreted by the same
histopathology team. Results: Free hand FNAC in group A and group B
achieved a sensitivity of (10% vs. 50%), specificity of 93% in both groups,
positive predictive value of (25% vs. 17%), negative predictive value of (82%
vs. 98%), and a total accuracy of (82% vs. 94%) respectively, while US
guided FNAC in group A and group B achieved a sensitivity of (10% vs. 86%),
specificity of (98% vs. 94%), positive predictive value of (50% vs. 60%),
negative predictive value of (86% vs. 98%), and a total accuracy of (85% vs.
97%) respectively. Conclusion: The overall accuracy of FNAC of STN in
tertiary hospital was better than community hospital. More training is required
for community hospital staff.