Diagnostic value of fine-needle aspiration biopsy of thyroid nodules in children and adolescents

From 1971 to 2001, 188 fine-needle aspiration biopsies (FNAB) of the thyroid gland were performed in 169 children and adolescents with thyroid nodules. In 65.4% the results of FNAB were classified as benign. In 13.8% FNAB was considered insufficient for diagnosis, due to the absence or small number of cells. The results of FNAB were classified as suspicious or malignant in 17.6% (n = 33). Surgery was performed in 118 patients (69.8%) and the results of cytological evaluation and histopathology were compared. The accuracy of FNAB was 77.2%, specificity 63.6%, and sensitivity 78.9%, which is less than reported for adults. Histopathological evaluation showed 13 malignant tumors. In two of the 13 malignancies, FNAB was inadequate because of a lack of thyroid cells. Of the remaining 11 malignancies, seven were detected by FNAB but four of these were classified as benign. Because of the lower accuracy of FNAB, we suggest a more aggressive diagnostic and therapeutic approach in children and adolescents than for adults.