[Extemporaneous anatomopathologic test of the thyroid body. Value, limitations and practical implications. Report of 1,680 thyroidectomies].

The analysis of the results of 1,680 immediate histopathological studies of thyroidectomy specimens allows assessing the value, limitations and pitfalls of this method. Although its specificity for the diagnosis of cancer is 100%, its sensitivity is 70.5% only. Misinterpretation is accounted for by the difficulty to identify the criteria of malignancy in an immediate study. The experience of a pathologist is essential and it ensures the reliability of the method, which is aimed at allowing an optimum one-stage surgical treatment.