Comparison of Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology andHistopathology in diagnosing malignant thyroid swellings: Experience from a Tertiary Care Centre of Tripura, India

Abstract

Background

Thyroid nodular disease, including thyroid cancer, is increasingly prevalent worldwide, with significant

incidence in India. This study compares FNAC and histopathological examination (HPE) findings in

diagnosing malignant thyroid lesions in a tertiary care center in Tripura, India.

Methods

This retrospective study analyzed data from patients who underwent both FNAC and HPE between

September 2019 and August 2020 at Agartala Government Medical College and GBP Hospital. Out of 98

records, 30 cases with malignant HPE results were included. Data were abstracted using Epi Info software

and analyzed with IBM SPSS software. Qualitative variables were summarized using percentages, while

quantitative variables were summarized using mean (SD).

Results

The majority of the cases were female (86.67%), Bengali (76.67%), and aged 21-40 years (73.33%). FNAC

accurately detected malignant thyroid lesions in 73.3% of cases. Discrepancies between FNAC and HPE

were found in eight cases, primarily involving papillary carcinoma of the thyroid (PCT), which FNAC

misdiagnosed as other conditions. PCT was the most common HPE diagnosis, representing 76.66% of

cases, predominantly in females. Most patients (86.67%) underwent total thyroidectomy, with a few

requiring additional surgical interventions.

Conclusion

FNAC is a minimally invasive, cost-effective procedure with high accuracy in diagnosing malignant thyroid

swellings. However, the definitive diagnosis relies on HPE, which remains the gold standard due to FNAC's

limitations. The study emphasizes the need for precise diagnostic techniques and vigilant monitoring,

especially among females with thyroid malignancies. Further research with larger sample sizes is

recommended to enhance the generalizability of these findings.