Endocrine Abstracts

Introducción: Thyroid nodule is a very frequent pathology that affects 4-8% of population. Fine-needle aspiration (FNA) guided by ultrasound (US) is considered the gold standard test in diagnostic evaluation of thyroid nodules. This technique is being assumed more and more frequently by endocrinologists.

Description of Methods: We conducted a retrospective study that included all thyroid US-guided FNA performed in 2014. We considered the following variables: age, nodule size, cytological resul and histogical result after surgery.

Resultados: 227 thyroid nodule FNA were performed in 185 patients (85% female, mean age 56.09±14.44 years). Mean nodule size was 25.9±8 mm (n:221, lost 6). We obtained the following cytological results: 48.9% benign; 11% Follicular neoplasm; 3.1% suspicious for malignancy; 0.9% malignant, 35.2% unsatisfactory and other 0.9%. We repeated FNA in 48.9% of cases: 41.4% benign; 54.1% unsatisfactory; 0.9% suspicious for malignancy, 0.9% folicular neoplasm and 0.9% other. (n:111, lost 2). 41 patients underwent total or partial thyroidectomy: 17% malignant (3 medullary carcinomas, 4 papillary carcinomas)

Conclusion: Thyroid nodule FNA is the technique of choice in evaluation of thyroid nodules and assumption of this technique by endocrinologists is a reality today. The incidence of malignance detected in our series is consistent with the literature, however the number of unsatisfactory results is above the international recommendations.