Abstract
Objective: To compare the diagnostic role of thyroid fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) with histopathology for diagnosis of thyroid lesions.
Methodology: In this cross sectional comparative study conducted in Pathology Department of Bannu Medical College, in collaboration with Surgery department of Khalifa Gul Nawaz Teaching Hospital Bannu, Pakistan. A total of 148 FNAC reports of enlarged thyroid were compared with their corresponding histopathological reports. Patients’ age, gender and other necessary information were noted. The data were analyzed by SPSS version 20. Specificity, sensitivity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and diagnostic accuracy were calculated.
Results: Mean age of patients was 28.58±17.34 years (range 18-65). The most common age group was 26-35 years followed by 36-45 years. Male to female ratio was 1: 3.4. Sensitivity was 83.33%, specificity was 100%, positive predictive value was 100%, negative predictive value was 99.27% and diagnostic accuracy was 99.30%.
Conclusion: FNAC thyroid is the most common easily approachable, mildly invasive, cost effective and rapid and relatively correct diagnostic tool in the diagnosis of thyroid lesions.
