抄録
Formation of thyroid nodules is a common clinical problem. Fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) is the most useful examination to triage patients for surgical treatment. On the other hand, Hashimoto′s thyroiditis is often associated with thyroid nodules and presence of autoantibodies against the thyroid gland. The present study examined whether autoantibodies against the thyroid could affect the distribution of the FNAB diagnosis. We retrospectively studied 817 patients who underwent FNAB and measurement of serum antibodies against thyroglobulin (Tg) and thyroid peroxidase (TPO) between July 2008 and December 2011. Statistical analysis was performed to determine the relationship between FNAB results and the presence of autoimmune antibodies against thyroid. FNAB results were classified into 4 categories: unsatisfactory material, benign, indeterminate and malignant cytology. The rate of unsatisfactory material was less from the patients with either Tg or TPO antibodies than from those without Tg and TPO antibodies. There was no statistical difference in the rate of indeterminate or malignant cytology between the patients with and without these autoantibodies. Moreover, although no significant difference in the frequency of papillary carcinoma was found between with and without autoantibodies against the thyroid, malignant lymphoma was found only in the patients with these autoantibodies. In conclusion, although autoimmune antibodies against Tg or TPO decreased the rate of unsatisfactory material during FNAB diagnosis, they did not affect the rate of indeterminate or malignant cytology.
