Comparative analysis of diagnostic adequacy rate between aspiration and nonaspiration techniques of fine-needle cytology in patients with thyroid cancer and ultrasonographically suspicious cervical lymph nodes

Background

We aimed to compare nonaspiration (NAS) and aspiration (AS) techniques in the evaluation of fine-needle cytology of lymph node (FNC-LN) in terms of diagnostic adequacy of cytologic material.

Methods

One hundred and twenty-three superficial cervical LNs in 75 patients who underwent NAS and AS-FNC-LN in the same visit were evaluated. Cytological results were categorized as diagnostic and nondiagnostic.

Results

The rates of malignancy were 13.8% in AS versus 16.3% in NAS technique, whereas nondiagnostic cytology was detected in 43.1% and 25.2%, respectively (P = .549 and P < .01).

Conclusions

The diagnostic adequacy rate in NAS-FNC-LN was significantly higher than AS-FNC-LN. However, NAS technique seems to be more simple and comfortable. We suggest both NAS and AS-FNC-LN in cytologic evaluation of suspicious cervical LNs until the diagnostic accuracy is determined with prospective studies.

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