Abstract Context: Accurate preoperative diagnosis of thyroid lesions is imperative and helps surgeons to decide the management of the patients. The differential diagnosis of these nodules includes from non neoplastic to malignant lesions. Aims: This study was conducted to assess the utility of cell blocks in hemorrhagic and cystic thyroid aspirations. Settings and Design: This was a prospective study conducted over a period of one year in the department of Pathology. Methods and Material: All Thyroid FNAs that yielded either blood tinged colloid or cystic fluid or hemorrhagic material were included in the Study. CBs were prepared from the residual material after preparation of smears. The cytomorphology of FNA smears were compared with histopathology of cell blocks in all cases. Results: Sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV of FNAC was 100%, 94.2%, 83.3%, 100% respectively. Percentage of false positive cases was 5.7% with diagnostic accuracy of 95%. In the present study Cell blocks were contributory to FNAC diagnosis in three cases (6%). Conclusions: Cell block preparation as an adjuvant to FNAC can reduce diagnostic pitfall and improve accuracy of FNA diagnosis. It gives an added opportunity to study architecture of the tissue. Cyto-histologic correlation in all cases may help to improve efficiency of Pathologists.
Keywords: FNAC; Cell Block; Thyroid Nodule; Cyto Histologic Correlation.