BACKGROUND: The objective of this study is to analyze the accuracy of fine-needle aspiration technique (FNA) in patients who presented thyroid nodular disease referred to the Surgical Department of the Ceará Federal University School of Medicine. METHODS: One hundred and thirty patients with palpable thyroid nodules were operated on for thyroidectomy, based on clinical and cytological criteria. FNA was performed with disposable 10-ml syringes, 25x06 disposable needles, microscopy blades, blade bottles and 95% alcohol. Cytological and histological results were compared. RESULTS: Cytological analysis were grouped as: benign - 58 (44,6%), undetermined - 38 (29,2%), malignant - 21 (16,2%) and inadequate - 13 (10,0%). Histology showed 45 malignant lesions and 85 benign nodules. Comparison between cytology and histology results enabled us to obtain the following indicators: sensitivity - 74%, specificity - 98%, predictive positive value - 95,2%, false-positive - 1,9%, predictive negative value - 87,9%, false-negative - 25,9% and accuracy - 89,8%. If the undetermined results (suspicious of being malignant and follicular disease) were considered as being positive to malignancy, the indicators were 82,5%; 66,2%; 55,9%; 33,7%; 87,9%; 17,5% e 71,8% respectively. Evaluation of the groups mentioned showed statistical significance by Fisher's Test. CONCLUSIONS: The results confirm the accuracy of FNA in the management of patients with nodular thyroid disease at University Hospital Walter Cantídio of Ceará Federal University School of Medicine.
Goiter; Thyroid nodule; Neoplasms; Thyroidectomy; Biopsy; needle
