Analysis of specimen adequacy of fine needle non-aspiration cytology in thyroid nodules / 中华内分泌外科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To investigate the occurrence of inadequate specimens of thyroid nodule fine needle non-aspiration cytology and its possible influencing factors.Methods:Clinical data of 1571 patients with FNAC of 1638 thyroid nodules were analyzed retrospectively, according to whether the FNAC specimen were adequate or not, all cases were divided into adequate group and inadequate group. The related influencing factors on inadequate specimen were analyzed by univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression.Results:Inadequate specimens occurred in 301 of 1638 (18.4%) nodules. Logistic regression analysis showed that the influencing factors of overall specimen adequacy included operator experience ( P=0.00) , nodules size≤0.5 cm ( P=0.00) , eggshell calcification ( P=0.00) , and cystic ( P=0.00) . Excluding the impact of operator experience, the influencing factors of specimen adequacy included nodules size≤0.5 cm ( P=0.00) , eggshell calcification ( P=0.00) , and cystic ( P=0.00) . Conclusions:Operator experience, nodules size≤0.5 cm, cystic, together with eggshell calcification are influencing factors of specimen adequacy of fine needle non-aspiration cytology in thyroid nodules. For experienced operators, what restrict specimen adequacy is the limitation of FNAC technique. For inexperienced operators, what restrict specimen adequacy is operator’s experience.