The place of fine needle biopsy in the diagnosis of nodules of the thyroid.

Fine needle aspiration cytology with an accuracy rate of 90.2 per cent confirmed by surgical specimens was found to be a useful adjunct in the diagnosis of tumors of the thyroid but did not replace large needle core biopsy. Both methods offered information complementary to each other, and our data indicated that, when possible, they should be used together. Although both false-positive and false-negative results were reported with fine needle cytology aspiration biopsy, it was the false-negative reports which limited its use as a definitive diagnostic tool. Fine needle aspiration biopsy, however, did constitute a safe and useful method of increasing diagnostic ability in the evaluation of thyroid nodules.