Enhancing diagnostic precision in thyroid nodule assessment: evaluating the efficacy of a novel cell preservation technique in fine-needle aspiration cytology

Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2024 Aug 27:15:1438063. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2024.1438063. eCollection 2024.

Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of thyroid fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) using a novel-cell preserving matrix called Cytomatrix in improving diagnostic accuracy for thyroid nodules.

Materials and methods: Fifty patients undergoing thyroidectomy were enrolled and FNAC was performed on the excised thyroid glands, with the collected sample being placed on the Cytomatrix. The results were compared with histopathological analysis, and diagnostic performance was assessed statistically.

Results: Cytomatrix demonstrated an accuracy of 96%, sensitivity of 84.61%, and specificity of 100%. Concordance between cytological and histopathological findings highlighted Cytomatrix's potential to enhance thyroid FNAC accuracy.

Conclusion: FNAC using Cytomatrix shows promise in improving diagnostic accuracy for thyroid nodules. Its application, marked by faster processing and efficient resource utilization, coupled with the preservation of cellular architecture, holds considerable potential in enhancing cytological diagnosis, thus optimizing patient management strategies.

Keywords: Bethesda; cytology; cytomatrix; fine needle aspiration; thyroid nodules; thyroidectomy.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Biopsy, Fine-Needle / methods
  • Cytodiagnosis / methods
  • Cytology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Thyroid Gland / pathology
  • Thyroid Gland / surgery
  • Thyroid Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Thyroid Neoplasms / pathology
  • Thyroid Neoplasms / surgery
  • Thyroid Nodule* / diagnosis
  • Thyroid Nodule* / pathology
  • Thyroid Nodule* / surgery
  • Thyroidectomy / methods
  • Young Adult

Grants and funding

The author(s) declare financial support was received for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article. The Center of Molecular Research in Nephrology and Vascular Disease, Faculty of Medicine, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timisoara, Romania sponsored the acquisition of the Cytomatrix blocks. The funders were not involved in the study’s design, implementation, data collection, analysis, interpretation, manuscript preparation, review, approval, or decision to submit for publication. We would like to acknowledge VICTOR BABES UNIVERSITY OF MEDICINE AND PHARMACY TIMISOARA for their support in covering the costs of publication for this research paper.