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Fine needle aspiration of the thyroid: a pathologist’s perspective

Correspondence to:
Professor Yolanda C Oertel, Fine Needle Aspiration Service, Washington Hospital Center, Pathology Department (C-1219), 110 Irving Street, NW, Washington, DC 20010-2975, USA; Yolanda.C.Oertel@medstar.net

Accepted 4 April 2008

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

I have been aspirating palpable "lumps and bumps" for over 30 years and also interpreting aspirates performed by radiologists, endocrinologists, and other physicians; the last 9 years performing mostly thyroidal aspirates. What follows is based on my reflections and on the insight developed into the particular problem of thyroid nodules. We have to understand the limitations of fine needle aspiration (FNA) of thyroidal lesions. FNA is a diagnostic tool. Tools only work if they are handled properly. The five most important things I have learned in all these years are: (1) the role of the aspirator is crucial, (2) the technique is deceptively simple, (3) you have to have a team, (4) communication with the referring physician is essential, and (5) you have to persist.

	THE ROLE OF THE ASPIRATOR IS CRUCIAL

 
I cannot overemphasise this premise. I believe that this still is overlooked in the literature. Frequently I read about how important it is to have . . . [Full text of this article]