[Needle aspiration cytology in the diagnosis of thyroid nodules].

Routine cytological fine needle aspiration was introduced in cases where scintigraphy and echography revealed cold, solid thyroid nodules. The cytological patterns of goitre, thyroiditis and neoplasias are briefly described. Needle aspiration cytology appears to provide substantial diagnostic accuracy with a low incidence of false positives or negatives. This examination is essentially risk-free, and easy to perform, providing fast, accurate diagnosis and making surgery superfluous.