CYTOMORPHOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF THYROID LESIONS USING THE BETHESDA SYSTEM: A STUDY OF 320 CASES
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.29121/shodhkosh.v7.i9s.2026.8072Keywords:
Thyroid Nodules, Fnac, Bethesda System, Thyroid Cytology, Thyroid LesionsAbstract [English]
Introduction: Thyroid nodules are common clinical findings and require accurate evaluation to differentiate benign from malignant lesions. Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology (FNAC) is widely used as a first-line diagnostic tool. The Bethesda System for Reporting Thyroid Cytopathology (TBSRTC) provides a standardized reporting system.
Aim: To evaluate thyroid lesions using FNAC and classify them according to the Bethesda system.
Materials and Methods: This study included 320 patients presenting with thyroid swelling. FNAC was performed and smears were categorized according to the Bethesda system.
Results: Out of 320 cases, satisfactory cytological smears were obtained in 310 cases (96.8%) while 10 cases (3.1%) were non-diagnostic. The majority of cases belonged to Bethesda Category II (Benign) accounting for 89.3% cases. Category III (AUS) constituted 0.6% cases, Category IV (Follicular Neoplasm) 1.25%, Category V (Suspicious for Malignancy) 3.4%, and Category VI (Malignant) 2.18%.
Conclusion: FNAC using the Bethesda system is a reliable, simple, and cost‑effective diagnostic modality for the evaluation of thyroid lesions.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Dr. Sumana Pawar, Dr. Rajesh H. Chandan, Dr. Suwarna Siddappa Kolavi
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