DIAGNOSTIC ACCURACY OF FINE NEEDLE ASPIRATION CYTOLOGY IN SOLITARY THYROID NODULE

Objective: To determine the accuracy of fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) in solitary thyroid nodules. Study Design: The study design selected for this was Cross-sectional observational study. Place and Duration of Study: Current research was conducted in Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi (Surgical Unit II) over one year time period year (from April 1, 2023, to March 31, 2024). Methodology: All patients aged above 12 years of both genders, diagnosed with solitary thyroid nodules on clinical examination and ultrasonography, were included. FNAC was performed in the outpatient department, and cytology reports were categorized as benign or malignant. Patients subsequently underwent hemithyroidectomy, and histopathological findings were compared with FNAC results to determine diagnostic accuracy. Results: A total of 36 patients were included, comprising 29 females and 7 males, with ages ranging from 13 to 70 years (mean age: 36.69 ± 13.97 years). Among 3 inconclusive FNAC results, 1 was benign and 2 were malignant on histopathology. Of the 20 cases diagnosed as benign by FNAC, 19 were confirmed benign, while 1 was malignant on final histopathology—indicating an accuracy of 95% for benign lesions. FNAC categorized 8 cases as suspicious for malignancy, while histopathology confirmed 15 malignant cases overall. Conclusion: FNAC is a reliable diagnostic tool for evaluating solitary thyroid nodules and can effectively guide clinical management when performed by experienced professionals.