RESUMO
Multiple parameters are needed to diagnose thyroid disorders. 100 cases of thyroid swellings were studied by clinical assessment, hormonal assay, fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC), antithyroglobulin (Tg) and antimicrosomal (Tm) antibodies and histopathology. The cases were divided into four groups. Cases of thyroiditis on FNAC showed predominance of lymphocytes (76%), hurthle cells (77%), epithelioid cells and giant cells (31%) and high titres of Tg (66%) and Tm (92%). Non toxic goitre was characterized by colloid and foam cells (100%) and low positivity for Tg and Tm (25%). Toxic goitre showed colloid (30%). Hurthle cells, anisonucleosis of acinar cells (38%), fire flare (62%) and high positivity for Tg and Tm (73%). Neoplasia was diagnosed mainly by cell morphology on FNAC and a low positivity for Tg and Tm (30%). FNAC in correlation with thyroid antibodies is useful in diagnosing autoimmune thyroiditis, goitre, Grave's disease and malignancy of thyroid. Antibodies have a specific role in the diagnosis of early stage of thyroiditis.