Nurdan Fidan1, Mehtap Beker Acay2, Ersen Ertekin3, Yılmaz Baş4, Özlem Demircioğlu5

1Hitit Üniversitesi, Çorum Eğitim ve Araştırma Hastanesi, Radyoloji Bölümü, Çorum
2Afyon Kocatepe Üniversitesi, Tıp Fakültesi, Radyoloji ABD, Afyonkarahisar
3Aydın Menderes Üniversitesi, Tıp Fakültesi, Radyoloji ABD, Aydın
4Hitit Üniversitesi, Çorum Eğitim ve Araştırma Hastanesi, Patoloji Kliniği, Çorum
5Marmara Üniversitesi, Pendik Eğitim ve Araştırma Hastanesi Radyoloji ABD, İstanbul

Keywords: Thyroid nodule; aspiration biopsy; liquid- based cytology, ThinPrep®

Abstract

Introduction: The success of thyroid fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNA) depends on factors such as using proper technique, sufficient sample and the presence of experienced cytopathologist. To reach the correct diagnosis preparation method is important in maintaining the quality of the morphological details of obtained cytological specimens. In our study, we aimed to compare the diagnosis rates of patients’ pathology results using different preparation methods in thyroid FNA.
Methods: A total of 358 patients whom have ultrasound-guided thyroid FNAs between May 2012-February 2014 were enrolled in this retrospective study. The patients were divided into 3 groups according to the preparation method of the specimens during biopsy procedures. In group 1, air drying method was used in 158 patients, in group 2 air drying and alcohol fixation methods were used in 100 patients and in group 3, the liquid-based cytology (ThinPrep) method was used in 100 patients.
Results: There was no statistical difference in nodule size, age and gender among groups. Nondiagnostic or inadequate cytology rate of thyroid FNAB was 3.8% in group 1, 3% in group 2 and 4% in group 3. There was no significant difference between the groups in diagnosing benign pathology but the detection rate in suspiciously malignant or malignant diagnosis of the ThinPrep method was significantly lower than other methods.
Conclusion: Liquid based cytology method makes it possible to get enough material. However, with the increasing experience in morphological details and malignant pathologic specimen of cytopathologists, we think that ThinPrep method in combination with a few airdried preparations would be advantageous and efficient in the preparation of pathologic specimens.