Frequency of Thyroid Lesions on Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology in Different Age Groups: A Teaching Hospital-Based Study

Abstract

Background: Thyroid Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology (FNAC) was introduced in Scandinavian countries in 1950s and became popular in the United States in 1970s and then worldwide in the 1980s. Subjects and Methods: A total of 129 patients with thyroid nodules were enrolled after fulfilling these inclusion & exclusion criteria and were sent for FNAC. Total of 129 patients presented with thyroid swelling were assessed clinically, along with laboratory investigations like thyroid function tests, ultrasonography and by FNAC study. Results: Nodular goiter was the commonest-34 (26.3%), colloid goiter- 13 (10.1%), nodular goiter with cystic change- 11(8.5%), thyroid cyst- 10(7.75%), nodular goitre with hyperplasia- 3 (2.3%). Hashimoto’s thyroiditis accounted for 45(34.9%), papillary carcinoma and papillary carcinoma with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis- 6(4.6%), diffuse hyperplasia- 2(1.55%), lymphocytic thyroiditis- 2(1.55%), follicular neoplasm- 1(0.77%). Conclusion: The wide range of lesions, both benign and malignant, can be diagnosed by FNAC thus restricting surgery to cases only requiring further histopathological evaluation. Nodular goiter (26.3%) is the foremost commonest cause of thyroid enlargement followed by Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.