Diagnostic Accuracy of FNAC Diagnosed Benign Thyroid Lesions Compared with Post-Operative Histopathology Results

Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology (FNAC) is one of the important diagnostic tools in diagnosing the thyroid diseases, however incidental thyroid malignancies among patients operated for a benign thyroid disease is not infrequent. The incidence ranges between 3 and 16%. The clinical significance of these tumours cannot be ignored once a correct staging has been carried out. The objectives of this study were to assess the diagnostic accuracy of FNAC of Thyroid gland and to know the incidence of incidental thyroid malignancy.   Materials and Methods This was a prospective study conducted from August 2018 to December 2019, after taking institutional ethical clearance, with a study population of 72 patients with thyroid swelling of either sex between age group (18-72yrs). Pre operative FNAC was done and underwent thyroid surgery in our hospital. Post operative thyroid specimen were sent for histopathological examination. All reports were collected and analyzed statistically.   Results Total 72 patients were included within age group of 18-72yrs among them, 8 were males and 64 were females having biologically normal thyroid function test. FNAC was showed 91% sensitivity and 68% specificity in diagnosing the colloid goiter and also 62% sensitivity and 75% specificity in diagnosing the nodular goitre. However, 8(11.1%) patients were showing incidental thyroid malignancy postoperatively.   Conclusion FNAC is an effective tool in diagnosing the thyroid diseases; however incidental thyroid malignancy should also be considered and correlated with clinical diagnosis.