Rapid diagnosis for liquid-based fine needle aspiration of thyroid nodules

Introduction. - The discovery of thyroid nodule can be a source of concern for the patient. Fine -needle aspiration is the gold standard for their evaluation. We establish a new rapid diagnosis procedure for liquid-based fine needle aspiration (LB-FNA) of thyroid nodules.Methods. - Patients were admitted in a day hospital program and a FNA was performed under ultrasound monitoring guidance. The sample followed a dedicated emergency circuit, and the technique was performed within 2 hours.Results. - A total of 92 fine needle aspirations were performed between June 2018 and March 2020. Our results showed 21% cases of nondiagnostic, 50% of benign, 21% of atypia of unde-termined significance, 2% of follicular neoplasm, 1% of suspicious for malignancy and 5% of malignant. Thanks to these results, 18 patients underwent surgery: 3 benign and 3 nondiagnos-tic (corresponding to 100% of benign follicular nodules), 2 follicular neoplasm (100% Hurthle cell adenomas), 1 suspicious for malignancy and 3 malignant (100% papillary carcinoma), 6 atypia of undetermined significance (83% of benign lesions, 17% non invasive follicular nodules).Conclusion. - Rapid diagnosis for thyroid nodules LB-FNA is possible, requiring a specific net-work involving radiologists, endocrinologists, cytopathologists and surgeons. This is an easy and effective method to improve the quality of patient care.(c) 2022 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.