FINE NEEDLE ASPIRATION AND THYROID MALIGNANCY

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.