Application of ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration and core needle biopsy in diagnosis of thyroid nodules

Abstract

Objective To compare the clinical evaluation in diagnosis of thyroid nodules between fine needle aspiration (FNA) and core needle biopsy (CNB) . Methods 82 cases with thyroid nodules undergoing FNA and 33 cases with thyroid nodules undergoing CNB were selected. Cytology, histopathology, and postoperative results were compared with postoperative pathology as the gold standard. Results The accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, false positive rate, false negative rate of FNA and CNB were 91.5% vs 87.9%, 93.2% vs 87.5%, 87.0% vs 88.9%, 94.8% vs 95.5%, 83.3% vs 72.7%, 13.0% vs 11.1%, 6.8% vs 12.5%, respectively. There was no significant difference between FNA and CNB (P>0.05) . Conclusion Both of FNA and CNB examination show high accuracy, sensitivity and specificity in diagnosis of benign and malignant thyroid nodules, but FNA is more economical, safe, convenient and thus has more extensive clinical application. For lymphoma or borderline tumor, CNB examination combined with immunohistochemistry is of more advantages. Key words: Thyroid nodules; Fine needle aspiration; Core needle biopsy; Postoperative pathology