ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The objective of this descriptive study was to observe the frequency of various pathological conditions detected in FNAC of patients presenting with neck swellings coming from two different regions of southern India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study included 100 consecutive patients from each region (Region 1: Wyanad, Region 2: Salem) presenting to the department of Pathology with swelling in the neck region as the chief complaint. All age groups were included. All patients underwent FNAC and results were recorded. Frequency of various pathologies was determined. RESULTS: Thyroid lesions were predominant in both the regions with colloid goiter being the commonest lesion followed by lymphadenitis. Metastasis was more common compared to primary malignancies in Salem due to the elderly population under study. CONCLUSION: Non-neoplastic lesions were commonly encountered in our study which is in accordance with findings in similar studies conducted in other developing countries. FNAC should be the primary investigation of choice as it is inexpensive, safe and has a high degree of diagnostic accuracy.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Various methods are used to arrive at a conclusive diagnosis of thyroid lesions on fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC). Systemic pattern analysis is one such that can be used to analyze the lesions and divide them into individual categories. AIMS: To study the application of pattern analysis in the interpretation of solitary thyroid nodule (STN). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two hundred and nineteen cases of fine needle aspiration cytology of STN were reviewed along with histopathological correlation. Smears were classified based on primary and secondary patterns. Predominant pattern (primary) was identified and lesion categorized. This was followed by identifying the next dominant pattern (secondary) and recategorization. Cytological diagnosis based on primary and secondary patterns was correlated with the histopathological diagnosis. RESULTS: Based on pattern analysis, the study had a sensitivity of 66.7% and specificity of 98.9%. The positive predictive value and negative predictive value were 88.9% and 96% respectively and the overall diagnostic accuracy was 95.4%. CONCLUSIONS: The present study demonstrates the feasibility and applicability of pattern analysis in diagnosing thyroid lesions by FNAC, which could be easily reproducible.
ABSTRACT
We outline a proposal for the use of living unrelated kidney donors for transplantation. This proposal, although recommended by the Saudi National Committee on Renal Transplantation, is still under discussion and has not been implemented yet. We feel that this proposal is ethical with airtight safeguards against commercialization and for the protection of the well-being of the donor with assurance that he or she has not been coerced into donation.
