Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Fine-needle aspiration in the evaluation of thyroid neoplasms

  • Clinical Research
  • Published:
Endocrine Pathology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Fine-needle aspiration (FNA) is a safe, rapid, and accurate diagnostic tool. Although it continues to gain acceptance, the pace is slow. Probably, if more pathologists master the basics (i.e., learn how to obtain a good sample), this simple technique could be utilized to its fullest advantage. If the sample is not adequate or representative of the lesion, the diagnosis will not be correct. Based on personal experience, we believe that suction should be minimal when obtaining thyroid aspirates. Cytologic diagnostic criteria for the most common neoplasm of the thyroid gland are provided.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Zajicek J. Aspiration biopsy cytology. Part 1. Cytology of supradiaphragmatic organs. In: Wied GL, von Haam E, Koss LG, Reagan JW, eds. Monographs in clinical cytology. 1st ed. v. 4. Basel: S. Karger, 1974; 67–89.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Ashcraft MW, Van Herle AJ. Management of thyroid nodules. II: scanning techniques, thyroid suppressive therapy, and fine needle aspiration. Head Neck 3:297–322, 1981.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. van Herle AJ, Rich P, Ljung B-ME, Ashcraft MW, Solomon DH, Keeler EB. The thyroid nodule. Ann Intern Med 96:221–232, 1982.

    Google Scholar 

  4. Miller JM, Kini SR, Hamburger JI, Meissner WA. Needle biopsy of the thyroid. Current concepts. 1st ed. New York: Praeger, 1983.

    Google Scholar 

  5. Khafagi F, Wright G, Castles H, Perry-Keene D, Mortimer R. Screening for thyroid malignancy: the role of fine-needle biopsy. Med J Aust 149:302–307, 1988.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Hall TL, Layfield LJ, Philippe A, Rosenthal DL. Sources of diagnostic error in fine needle aspiration of the thyroid. Cancer 63:718–725, 1989.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Gharib H, Goellner JR, Johnson DA. Fineneedle aspiration cytology of the thyroid. A 12-year experience with 11,000 biopsies. Clin Lab Med 13:699–709, 1993.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Gharib H, Goellner JR. Fine-needle aspiration biopsy of the thyroid: an appraisa. Ann Intern Med 118:282–289, 1993.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Oertel YC. A pathologist's comments on diagnosis of thyroid nodules by fine needle aspiration. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 80: 1467, 1468, 1995.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Hamburger JI, Husain M, Nishiyama RH, Nuñez C, Solomon D. Increasing the accuracy of fine-needle biopsy for thyroid nodules. Arch Pathol Lab Med 113:1035–1041, 1989.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Hamburger JI. Extensive personal experience. Diagnosis of thyroid nodules by fine needle biopsy: use and abuse. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 79:335–339, 1994.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Oertel YC, ed. Fine needle aspiration of the breast. 1st ed. Boston: Butterworths, 1987.

    Google Scholar 

  13. Oertel YC. Fine-needle aspiration: a personal view. Lab Med 13:343–347, 1982.

    Google Scholar 

  14. Oertel YC. Fine-needle aspiration of the thyroid. In: Moore WT, Eastman RC, eds. Diagnostic endocrinology. 2nd ed. St. Louis, MO: Mosby, 1996; 211–228.

    Google Scholar 

  15. Oertel YC. Fine-needle aspiration and the diagnosis of thyroid cancer. Endocrinol Metab Clin North Am 25:69–91, 1996.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Kini SR. Thyroid. In: Kline TS, ed., Guides to clinical aspiration biopsy. 2nd ed. New York: Igaku-Shoin, 1996; 59–103.

    Google Scholar 

  17. Miller TR. Fine needle aspiration of the thyroid gland. In: Astarita RW, ed. Practical Cytopathology. 1st ed. New York: Churchill Livingstone, 1990; 233–249.

    Google Scholar 

  18. Nguyen G-K, Ginsberg J, Crockford PM. Fine-needle aspiration biopsy cytology of the thyroid. Its value and limitations in the diagnosis and management of solitary thyroid nodules. Pathol Annu 26 (Part 1):63–91, 1991.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Kini SR, Miller JM, Hamburger JI, Smith-Purslow MJ. Cytopathology of follicular lesions of the thyroid gland. Diagn Cytopathol 1:123–132, 1985.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Kini SR, Miller JM, Hamburger JI. Cytopathology of Hürthle cell lesions of the thyroid gland by fine needle aspiration. Acta Cytol 25:647–652, 1981.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Gallagher J, Oertel YC, Oertel JE. Follicular variant of papillary carcinoma of the thyroid: diagnostic criteria on fine needle aspirations. Mod Pathol 7:52A, 1994.

    Google Scholar 

  22. Busseniers AE, Oertel YC. “Cellular adenomatoid nodules” of the thyroid: review of 219 fine-needle aspirates. Diagn Cytopathol 9:581–589, 1993.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Willems JS, Löwhagen T, Palombini L. The cytology of a giant-cell, osteoclastoma-like malignant thyroid neoplasm. A case report. Acta Cytol 23:214–216, 1979.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Berry B, MacFarlane J, Chan N. Osteoclastomalike anaplastic carcinoma of the thyroid. Diagnosis by fine needle aspiration cytology. Acta Cytol 34:248–250, 1990.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Kini SR, Miller JM, Hamburger JI, Smith MJ. Cytopathologic features of medullary carcinoma of the thyroid. Arch Pathol Lab Med 108:156–159, 1984.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Zeppa P, Vetrani A, Marino M, et al. Fine needle aspiration cytology of medullary thyroid carcinoma: a review of 18 cases. Cytopathology 1:35–44, 1990.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Bose S, Kapila K, Verma K. Medullary carcinoma of the thyroid: a cytological, immunocytochemical, and ultrastructural study. Diagn Cytopathol 8:28–32, 1992.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Stewart FW. The diagnosis of tumors by aspiration. Am J Pathol 9:801–812, 1933.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Pathology Department, The George Washington University Medical Center, Rm. 609, 2300 Eye Street, N. W., 20037, Washington, DC

    Yolanda C. Oertel MD

Authors
  1. Yolanda C. Oertel MD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Yolanda C. Oertel MD.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Oertel, Y.C. Fine-needle aspiration in the evaluation of thyroid neoplasms. Endocr Pathol 8, 215–224 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02738788

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02738788

Key Words

Search

Navigation