PUNKCIJA ŠTITASTE ŽLEZDE TANKOM:FINE-NEEDLE ASPIRATION CYTOLOGY (FNAC)

Although little doubt exists about the pivotal role of fine-needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy in the preoperative diagnosis of thyroid cancer, each step in the subsequent management gives rise to controversy. Fine needle aspiration cytology has three limita. tions. Firstly, about 20% of samples are initially unsatis. factory, although repeat sampling increases the likelihood of obtaining adequate samples. Partly cystic or cystic lesions account for 20% of thyroid nodules and often yield insufficient cells for diagnosis.

Fine-needle aspiration is a low-cost diagnostic tool with principal value in determining which patients with thyroid nodules should undergo surgery. Team work and close cooperation among endocrinologists, surgeons, and pathologists are essential for success. Cytologic criteria for diagnosis of the most frequent malignancies found in thyroid aspirates have been provided. The unsolved problem of the so-called »follicular or oxyphilic lesion or neoplasia« will be investigated by immunocytochemistry.