A Clinico-Cytological Study of Thyroid Lesions in a Tertiary Care Centre in North Karnataka with Thyroid Function Test Correlation

Introduction: Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology (FNAC) of the thyroid gland is a widely accepted, cost effective and accurate method for evaluation of thyroid lesions. Cytology of thyroid gland has therefore become the first line diagnostic test in preoperative assessment. A thorough clinical examination, Thyroid Function Tests (TFT) and Ultrasonographic (USG) assessment of these lesions give invaluable information to reach a cytological diagnosis. Aim: To classify thyroid cytological diagnosis according to the Bethesda System of Reporting Thyroid Cytology (TBSRTC), which would help in planning prognostic and therapeutic approaches. The cytological diagnosis was also correlated with the clinical findings, TFT and USG findings. Materials and Methods: The present study was conducted in the Department of Pathology, Basaveshwar Hospital attached to M.R. Medical College, Kalaburagi, Karnataka. The study was conducted from 01/07/2012 to 31/12/2014 (30 months), India. Total 120 cases were categorised based on their clinical features, TFT values, USG details, procedural aspects of FNAC and cytological diagnosis according to The Bethesda System of Reporting Thyroid Cytology. Statistical Analysis: Statistical analysis was done in the form of percentages and proportions. Results: A total of 120 cases of thyroid FNAC were included in the study. Majority of the cases were females in the 21-30 years age group. The most common complaint was a painless swelling. The swelling was firm in most of the cases. TFT details were available in 69 cases with majority of the cases being euthyroid. USG details were available in 102 cases with multinodular swelling visualised in majority of the cases. Cytological diagnosis was reported according to TBSRTC. Cases in Category I through VI were 3.33%, 65.83%, 7.5%, 18.33%, 1.6% and 3.35% respectively. Conclusion: The findings of the present study were consistent with other studies that used TBSRTC. The most common presenting complaint was a painless neck swelling. Majority of the cases with USG details were reported as multinodular goitre. Thyroid function test details as per the Bethesda category showed that majority of the cases were euthyroid in category I, II and IV and hypothyroid in category III and VI, with TFT details unavailable for category V.