The spectrum of thyroid lesions on fine needle aspiration cytology

Background: Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology (FNAC) of thyroid gland is the most common preoperative investigation for diagnosis of thyroid lesions. Though various tests like thyroid profile, ultrasonography and radionuclide scan are available, they are used as adjuvant diagnostic modalities. FNAC is simple, easy to perform, non-invasive and cost-effective procedure. Primary aim is to study the spectrum of various thyroid lesions on FNAC. Also, the study is aimed to categorise the thyroid lesions according to the Bethesda system for Reporting Thyroid Cytopathology (2017).Methods: This is a retrospective observational study carried out in the pathology department at tertiary care academic institute for a period of three years. FNAC was done in a patient with thyroid swelling by non-aspiration technique. Slides were prepared, fixed in 95% ethyl alcohol and processed with routine stains.Results: Out of 210 cases, 150 cases (71.42%) were benign lesions, 15 cases (7.14%) were Follicular neoplasm/Suspicious for follicular neoplasm, 14(6.66%) cases were reported as Atypia of undetermined significance, 13 cases (6.19%) were Unsatisfactory/Nondiagnostic, 11 cases (5.2%) were malignant and 7 cases (3.3%) were suspicious for malignancy.Conclusions: FNAC is the most effective tool for the diagnosis of thyroid lesions. The Bethesda system is used to categorise the thyroid lesions and helps in better communication between clinicians and pathologists for the best surgical and medical management. The number of benign cases were higher and the number of cases in the category of suspicious for malignancy were lower with female preponderance.