[The role of cytology by needle aspiration in the diagnosis of thyroid nodules. Examination of 179 cases].

Since May 1981, fine needle biopsies have been used for cytological examination of thyroid nodules that were barely or not recorded by scintiphotography. By February 1984, a total of 179 patients had been examined. The biopsies were repeated on 12 patients where the first sample produced no diagnostic material. In 57 cases, a histological control existed in the form of material removed surgically by enucleoresections, partial and total thyroidectomies. Histological examination confirmed the cytological diagnosis in 7 out of 8 cases (88%) of malignant neoplasias with varying degrees of differentiation. A cytological diagnosis of adenoma was reached in 80% of cases, and of nodular struma in 82% of cases. Microscopic aspects of the cases are described together with the consequent cytological diagnostic criteria, while the characteristics and importance of the technique are also discussed.