Correlation of pre-operative fine needle aspiration cytology and post-operative histological findings of solitary thyroid nodules at the Kenyatta National Hospital
Abstract
This is a retrospective study carried out at Kenyatta National Hospital over a 5-year
period from June 1996 to May 2001. The main objective is to correlate preoperative
Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology and post-operative histological findings.
The study involved a total of 184 patients with solitary thyroid nodule, 164 females
and 20 males (Female: Male ratio 9:1) with a mean age of 38.5 years (range 4.5 yr-
75yrs). Of the 184 patients, 184 had FNAC, 179 Thyroid function tests, 168
ultrasonography, 29 Radionucleiod Scan and 1 CT scan. The investigations done
depended on clinicians attending to the patients, however all underwent lobectomy
and had the excised tissues analysed histologically. On ultrasonography 74% were
solid, 23% cystic and the rest were of mixed consistency and on radionucleiod
scanning 93% were cold nodules versus 7% that were hot. FNAC reported 84.2% as
diagnostic, 12% suspicious and in 3.8% inadequate samples were obtained. Post
operatively the commonest finding was adenoma. Malignancy rate was 5.4%.
Citation
Master of Medicine in Surgery of the University of Nairobi, 2002Publisher
University of Nairobi, School of Medicine