Role of fine needle aspiration cytology in diagnosis of solitary thyroid nodule

Aim: to evaluate usefulness of the fnac in diagnosing solitary thyroid nodule. methods: this interventional study was carried out in the department of general surgery,multan medical & dental college/ibn-e-siena hospital & research institute,multan,from july 2010 to december 2013. a total of 100 patients were included in the study. results: majority of the patients i.e.,40(66.7%) patients were between the 21-40 years. of the iagnostic60 patients,10(16.7%) patients were male while 50(83.3%) patients were female. thirty five (58.3%) patients belonged to district multan while 10(16.7%) patients were residents of district muzaffargarh. mild pain was noted in 6(10%) patients 3(5%) patients had change in voice and 3 (5%) patients had palpitation. thirty patients (50%) presented within one year of the start of their disease. right lobe of the thyroid gland harboured swelling in 45 patients (75%). only 3 patients (5%) were diagnosed as papillary carcinoma. conclusion: cold thyroid nodule is a common problem and has gained much significance due to its potential for malignancy.