Fine needle aspiration cytology of endocrine glands

Abstract

Fine needle aspiration biopsy is a safe, accurate, and minimally invasive technique for sampling of endocrine organs. It is widely used for both palpable and non-palpable thyroid nodules. Parathyroid and adrenal glands can be approached with image-guidance, preferably with a cytopathologist onsite for preliminary interpretation. The specific information obtained is used for definitive diagnosis or to triage patients and avoid invasive, costly, and unnecessary surgical procedures. Good technical skills and experience in obtaining and preparing samples are critical to the overall effectiveness of this procedure. Characteristic, well-established cytologic criteria using both Diff-Quik® and Papanicolaou stains allow specific diagnosis of the majority of endocrine lesions. © 2010 Springer-Verlag New York.