Fine-needle aspiration biopsy of the thyroid nodule. Results of a start-up project in a general teaching hospital setting

The results of the initial 102 fine-needle aspiration biopsies of the thyroid performed at a 795-bed general teaching hospital are reported. Eighty-four of the nodules (82%) were cytologically benign, 18 nodules (18%) were suspicious, and none of the nodules was diagnosed as malignant. Five nodules In the suspicious group (28%) were found to be malignant following microscopic examination of the surgical specimens. There was one false-negative result. Based on the data from 21 patients with both cytologic and histologic diagnoses, the positive predictive value of this procedure was 38% and the negative predictive value was 87% (sensitivity, 83%; specificity, 47%). Our results were comparable with those of major referral centers. Guidelines for establishing a fine-needle aspiration biopsy program at a general hospital are suggested.