Bethesda system of reporting cytopathology of thyroid nodules in correlation with radiological and clinicopathological findings

Abstract

Background: Thyroid nodules are common, affecting up to 76% of the population. One in every two patients with ultrasonography has a thyroid nodule. Aim of the study: To reporting cytopathological study of thyroid FNA nodules and to correlate it with radiological findings and to compare patient characteristics in low and high-risk groups. Materials and Methods: A retrospective study included FNA cytology of 100 patients with a total of 103 thyroid nodules. Slides were retrieved and reviewed, and Bethesda categories were recorded. Ultrasound reports with TIRADS classification and patients’ demographics were retrieved from archived patient notes. The data were tabulated and analyzed. Results: Most nodules were classified as low or moderately suspicious (TIRADS 2 and 3), with only 4 (3.8%) classified as very suspicious (TIRADS 5). Benign (Bethesda II) was reported in 52 (50.5%), follicular neoplasm (Bethesda IV) in 7 (6.8%), and papillary carcinoma (Bethesda V) in 3 (2.9%) of FNA assessed nodules. TIRADS 5 and cytological impressions agreed perfectly. TIRADS 1&2 and cytological impressions also agreed well. Conclusion: TIRADS improves thyroid carcinoma diagnosis and avoids needless interventions. The strong concordance of TIRADS II with Bethesda II demonstrates its reliability in detecting nodules that do not require FNA or further study.