Objective:
The prevalence of thyroid nodules is absolutely high. The incidence of malignancy development from that nodules and the mortality in thyroid cancers are low. It is very important to distinguish between malignant nodules and benign nodules because of the choice of treatment and follow-up of patients. Ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) is the most appropriate method for the evaluation of thyroid nodules.
Methods:
The aim of the study is to evaluate the postoperative pathology results of patients with atypia of undetermined significance with FNAB results, to share the results with the literature and to contribute to the treatment and follow-up of patients.
Results:
The study included 3148 patients who underwent thyroid FNAB between the years of 2013-2018. The patients who had atypia of undetermined significance of FNAB results and who had at least two radiological malignant suspicious appearance, or the second FNAB performed after 3 months was reported as atypia of undetermined significance, were treated with thyroidectomy. FNAB results and postoperative diagnosis were comparatively examined.
Results:
It was reported that 134 patients with an atypia of undetermined significance of FNAB results. Malignancy was detected in 9 patients (23.1%) after histopathological examination. We conclude that surgical planning will be the correct approach in patients with atypia of undetermined significance and in patients who have radiological malignancy criteria to prevent diagnostic delays due to follow-up difficulties.
Keywords: Thyroid, fine needle aspiration biopsy, atypia of undetermined significance