How important is on‐site adequacy assessment for thyroid FNA? An evaluation of 883 cases

Abstract Immediate adequacy assessment (IADA) during fine‐needle aspiration (FNA) is not universal and the optimal numberof passes has not been well determined. The aim of this study was to evaluate the nondiagnostic rates (NDR) with and without the IADA forthyroid aspirates. Subsequent cytological and surgical follow‐upwere reviewed for nondiagnostic cases. In addition, we evaluated the numberof passes performed in each FNA to determine the optimal number. Retrospective analysis of NDR was performed on 883 thyroid FNA specimens retrievedthrough a Computer SNOMED Search from our files between January 2001 toDecember 2003. For FNAs with IADA, one Diff‐Quick and one fixedsmear for each pass were prepared, and the needle was rinsed in CytoLytsolution for a ThinPrep and/or a cell‐block. FNAs without IADAwere received in CytoLyt solution, from which a ThinPrep and a cell‐block were prepared for each case. Of the total 883 cases, 443 wereperformed with IADA, of which 417 cases were diagnostic. The remaining440 cases were performed without IADA, of which 300 cases were diagnostic.NDR for IADA was 5.9% (26 cases‐group‐I)compared to 31.8% (140 cases‐group‐II)without IADA. In group‐I, 5 cases were followed‐upby repeat FNA, 10 cases by surgical resection, and 11 cases received notissue follow‐up. In group‐II, 23 cases were followed‐up by repeat FNA, 36 by surgical resection, and 82 cases received notissue follow‐up. Interestingly, follow‐up in group‐Idid not reveal any missed malignancy, while that in group‐II resultedin a malignant diagnosis in 13.8% (8 cases). We alsofound that the optimal number of passes with least NDR was 4–6 passes.NDR was 25% for < 3 passes, 11% for 4 passes, 5.2% for 5 passes, 1.4% for 6 passes, and 2.5% for 7 passesor more. IADA significantly reduces the NDR and increases the sample adequacy for diagnosis. Optimal number of passes is 4–6 passes, and additionalpasses did not improve the diagnostic rate. Our study also emphasizesthe significance of repeat FNA or histological follow‐up for nondiagnostic cases, especially for those without IADA. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2007;35:183–186. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.