Abstract Background and Objectives: The management of thyroid nodules is multi-disciplinary and involves surgeons, pathologists, endocrinologists and radiologists. Here, we conducted a prospective correlational study of 50 patients who presented with solitary thyroid nodule to Basaveshwara Teaching and General Hospital during Nov 2016 to June 2018. The objectives were: 1. To study the clinical presentation, USG and FNAC findings of thyroid nodules. 2. To study the concordance and discordant results in the triple assessment. 3. To compare the results with the histopathological findings when available. Methods: All the patients who fit the inclusion criteria (n=50), underwent triple assessment i.e clinical examination, Ultrasound Examination and US guided FNAC of the thyroid nodule along with complete thyroid profile and routine investigations. The findings of the triple assessment were then compared with Histopathological Report, post-surgery. The concordance of the preliminary investigations was then assessed. Results: In this study, the peak incidence was noted in the age group of 31-40 with 34% of the patients (n=17). The youngest patient was 18 yrs old and the eldest, 70 yrs old. 88% (n=44) of the patients were females, whereas 12% patients were male. The most commonly accompanied symptom to the thyroid swelling was pain/discomfort (in 14 patients). Most patients (44%) were categorised into Bethesda Category II indicating benign swellings. The diagnostic accuracy of USG and FNAC were 92% and 98% respectively. Conclusion: • The incidence of thyroid cancer is 22% among the patients with thyroid nodules. • There is a higher incidence of benign lesions (88%) most of which belonged to Bethesda Category II. • Sex profile of both benign and malignant lesions showed high female preponderance. • Ultrasound guided Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology showed high sensitivity and 98% diagnostic accuracy.
Keywords: Triple assessment; thyroid nodule; US guided FNAC.