Cyto-morphologic spectrum of thyroid lesions in children.

INTRODUCTION: Fine needle aspiration (FNA) is routinely used in triaging thyroid lesions in adults. However, role of FNA in pediatric thyroid lesions is less studied.

AIM AND OBJECTIVE: To study the cyto-morphologic spectrum of thyroid lesions in pediatric population.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis (duration-6 years) of thyroid FNA for patients who were 18 years or younger was conducted. The aspirates were classified according to the Bethesda System for Reporting Cytopathology.

RESULTS: A total of 2716 thyroid aspirates were reviewed, out of which 327 (12%) were pediatric thyroid FNAs performed on 301 patients. Of these 256 (85%) were females and 45 (15%) were male patients. Aspirates were classified as follows: Nondiagnostic-30 (10%), Benign-260 (86%), Atypia of undetermined significance-6 (2%), Suspicious of follicular neoplasm-0 (0%), Suspicious of malignancy-0 (0%), Malignant-5 (2%). Out of the 253 benign lesions, 153 (58%) were spectrum of colloid goitre, 106 (42%) were Lymphocytic thyroiditis and 1(0.5%) was granulomatous thyroiditis (0.5%).

CONCLUSION: Thyroid disorders are fairly common in children. Majority of these are benign in nature of which most common are spectrum of colloid goitre. With the benefits of being a noninvasive procedure and cost effective, FNA is a reliable method for screening and diagnosis of thyroid lesions in pediatric population.