Fine-needle aspiration cytology of thyroid swellings
THE CONTEXT
Fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC)* is the investigation of choice for discrete thyroid swellings, and its results should use standard reporting terminology.
Practical features and sampling
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FNAC has excellent patient compliance, is simple and quick to perform in the outpatient department, and can readily be repeated.
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Ultrasound guidance improves sampling accuracy and reduces the rate of unsatisfactory aspirates.
Cytology reporting categories
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Thy1 denotes a non-diagnostic result; Thy1c denotes a non-diagnostic cystic result.