Role of fine needle aspiration cytology for neoplastic evaluation of nodular goitre

To see the accuracy of fine needle aspiration cytology [FNAC] for neoplastic lesions in nodular goitre. A prospective comparative analytic study. The study was conducted in Pathology Department, Punjab Medical College Faisalabad in association with the Department of surgery, Allied Hospital Faisalabad from September 1[st], 2008 to May 31[st], 2010. With an informed and explained consent, the study was conducted on 117 patients of primary euthyroid nodular goitre who underwent thyroid surgery. Preoperative diagnosis in all the patients was established by fine needle aspiration cytology and thyroid function tests. After thyroid surgery, excised tissue was sent for histopathology to confirm the diagnosis. Cytological diagnosis was compared with histological diagnosis to see the accuracy of fine needle aspiration cytology for neoplastic lesions. Among the 117 patients, FNAC showed neoplastic and non-neoplastic lesions in 27 and 90 patients respectively. While, histological diagnosis revealed neoplastic lesions in 24 patients and non-neoplastic lesions in 93 patients. Sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of FNAC for neoplastic lesions in nodular goitre remained 79.17%, 91.4% and 88.89% respectively. Fine needle aspiration cytology plays a pivotal role in pre-operative differentiation between the neoplastic and non-neoplastic lesions of nodular goiter

Congenital fetal anomalies antenatal ultrasound detection

A study carried out in two PAF hospitals radiology departments to determine the frequency of different anomalies by ultrasonographic detection. We subjected the pregnant ladies for ultrasonography who had basic screening done in obstetric department and had suspicion of some anomaly and were sent for detailed scanning. Other groups of patients were those who had bad obstetric history and sent from gynecological department for detailed scanning. About 200 patients were scanned, Out of these 134 had different anomalies and the commonest was from central nervous system with relatively more prevalent in cousin marriages. The study concluded in a small section of population showed the preponderance of neural tube defects as detected by ultrasonography but an area which was not subjected to detailed scanning was cardiac anomaly scanning due to non-availability of equipment and expertise in peripheral hospitals and may be possible in dedicated tertiary care hospitals