Thyroid nodule diagnosis: A comparative analysis of ultrasonography and fine-needle aspiration cytology

Abstract

Objectives: This paper aimed to investigate the association between Ultrasonography (USG) results and fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) in the diagnosis of thyroid nodules (TNs) in private and public hospitals in Yemen. In addition, it aimed to determine the sensitivity, specificity of USG and FNAC in diagnosing thyroid nodules (TNs). Materials and Methods: The study utilized a retrospective comparative study design, analyzing medical records of patients diagnosed with TNs between June 01, 2022 and May 01, 2023, in four private and public hospitals in Yemen. USG and FNAC reports, along with demographic data were collected. The author categorized the USG findings based on the American Thyroid Association guidelines, while FNAC results were classified according to the Bethesda reporting system for thyroid cytopathology. Results: The study included 94 diverse participants with TNs. The average age was 39.96 years, with a majority of female participants (85.1%). The distribution of nodules revealed varying consistencies, sizes, and shapes. The association between USG and FNAC diagnoses showed a significant relationship (χ2 = 34.914, P < 0.001), with a high proportion of benign cases in both USG and FNAC results. Validity analysis demonstrated a sensitivity of 88.68% and a specificity of 70.73% for USG in diagnosing thyroid carcinoma. The positive predictive value was 79.66%, and the negative predictive value was 82.86%. The overall accuracy of USG compared to FNAC was 80.85%. Conclusion: This study shows USG's potential as a diagnostic tool for TNs in Yemen. Insights improve understanding of TN diagnosis in Yemen's healthcare settings.