Abstract

Background: Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology has been established as the investigation of choice in thyroid lesions. Different imaging techniques are now used for preoperative diagnosis of thyroid nodules like radionuclide scanning, high-resolution ultrasonography (USG). The present study aims at diagnosing various thyroid diseases based upon cytomorphological features in FNAC and wherever possible with its histopathological correlation, which is the gold standard.
Material & Methods: A prospective study done on 100 specimens from thyroid were received in the Department of pathology, SMS Medical College, Jaipur for histopathological examination from SMS hospital, Jaipurduring one year period. Out of these 100 cases imprint cytology was done for 48 cases. A correlative study between Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology and histopathology was done for these 100 cases. Data analysis was done with the help of computer using Epidemiological Information Package (EPI 2002).
Results: Our study showed that mean age of patients was 40.2 years and maximum patients were seen in 21 to 30 years of age group. There is a female preponderance with a Female to Male ratio of 13.28:1. Out of these 100 lesions 61 cases were non neoplastic lesions and 39 were neoplastic lesions. Among the 61 non neoplastic lesions 45cases were reported as nodular goiter, 15 cases as hashimato thyroiditis and 1 case as Granulomatous thyroidits. Out of the 39 neoplastic lesions 21 cases were reported as benign neoplastic lesions and 18 as malignant neoplastic lesions. A correlation done between Fine Needle Aspiration cytology with imprint cytology and histopathology showed the following results. 31 Fine Needle Aspiration cytology reports (64.58%) were correlated with histopathological diagnosis.
Conclusion: High rate of diagnostic accuracy can be achieved by use of ultrasound guidance with strict adherence to adequacy criteria and meticulous examination of all the smears. Touch Imprint Cytology alone may provide a correct diagnosis in vast majority of cases with minimal expense and without the need of sophisticated cryostat machine thus making it quite suitable when cryostat machines are not available.