Fine-needle aspiration biopsy of the thyroid

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Evaluation of thyroid nodules is a diagnostic challenge. Many methods were tried in the past, but all lacked sensitivity and specificity. Now fine-needle aspiration biopsy is recognized as a sensitive screening test that yields the correct diagnosis in the highest percentage of patients at the lowest possible cost. In this article, Dr Friedman discusses the technique of fine-needle aspiration of the thyroid and interpretation of the cytologic specimens obtained.