Diagnostic Accuracy of Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology in Thyroid Diseases: Comparison with Histopathological Findings in Hawassa, Ethiopia
- 1Hawassa University College of Medicine and Health Sciences
Abstract
IntroductionThyroid diseases are major health problems and among the most common endocrine disorders worldwide, including in Ethiopia. They are characterized by alterations in hormone secretion, enlargement of the thyroid gland, or both. Fine needle aspiration cytology is an important initial screening tool, and histopathologic examination is essential for the definitive diagnosis of thyroid disease. This study aimed to compare the diagnostic accuracy of fine needle aspiration cytology with histopathology in identifying thyroid diseases.
MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted at three health facilities in Hawassa City, Ethiopia, involving 304 patients who underwent both thyroid fine needle aspiration cytology and histopathologic examination of the same site between 30th October 2024 and 29th October 2025. FNAC results were classified using the Bethesda system, with histopathology as the gold standard. Data were entered into Kobo Toolbox, exported to SPSS version 27, and analyzed using cross-tabulation and chi-square ({chi}2) tests to determine diagnostic accuracy.
Result304 patient records were included in the study. The fine needle aspiration cytology was determinate/diagnostic in 81.6% of cases. The study revealed the sensitivity and specificity of fine needle aspiration cytology to be 88.2% (CI 77.6-95.1%) and 94.4% (CI 90.6-97.1%), respectively. The false negative and false positive rates in this study were 2.4% and 4.4%, respectively. The positive predictive value was 80.3% (CI 68.7-89.3%), and the negative predictive value was 96.8% (CI 93.8-98.7%). The accuracy of fine needle aspiration cytology in differentiating benign from malignant thyroid lesions was 93.1%.
ConclusionFNAC demonstrated strong agreement with histopathology and remains a reliable, cost-effective first-line diagnostic tool for thyroid disease, particularly in resource-limited settings. Strengthening sample handling, ultrasound guidance, and adherence to Bethesda criteria may further improve diagnostic precision
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BibTeX
@misc{nisro2026diagnostic,
title = {{Diagnostic Accuracy of Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology in Thyroid Diseases: Comparison with Histopathological Findings in Hawassa, Ethiopia}},
author = {A. M. Nisro and T. T. Geremew and A. K. Tadele and B. D. Fenta and G. G. Engida and F. Y. Lukas and T. G. Tesgera and A. T. Alem},
howpublished = {medRxiv},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.64898/2026.10.16.26365726},
url = {https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.10.16.26365726v1},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - UNPB
TI - Diagnostic Accuracy of Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology in Thyroid Diseases: Comparison with Histopathological Findings in Hawassa, Ethiopia
AU - A. M. Nisro
AU - T. T. Geremew
AU - A. K. Tadele
AU - B. D. Fenta
AU - G. G. Engida
AU - F. Y. Lukas
AU - T. G. Tesgera
AU - A. T. Alem
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/16
PB - medRxiv
DO - 10.64898/2026.10.16.26365726
UR - https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.10.16.26365726v1
AB - IntroductionThyroid diseases are major health problems and among the most common endocrine disorders worldwide, including in Ethiopia. They are characterized by alterations in hormone secretion, enlargement of the thyroid gland, or both. Fine needle aspiration cytology is an important initial screening tool, and histopathologic examination is essential for the definitive diagnosis of thyroid disease. This study aimed to compare the diagnostic accuracy of fine needle aspiration cytology with histopathology in identifying thyroid diseases. MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted at three health facilities in Hawassa City, Ethiopia, involving 304 patients who underwent both thyroid fine needle aspiration cytology and histopathologic examination of the same site between 30th October 2024 and 29th October 2025. FNAC results were classified using the Bethesda system, with histopathology as the gold standard. Data were entered into Kobo Toolbox, exported to SPSS version 27, and analyzed using cross-tabulation and chi-square ({chi}2) tests to determine diagnostic accuracy. Result304 patient records were included in the study. The fine needle aspiration cytology was determinate/diagnostic in 81.6% of cases. The study revealed the sensitivity and specificity of fine needle aspiration cytology to be 88.2% (CI 77.6-95.1%) and 94.4% (CI 90.6-97.1%), respectively. The false negative and false positive rates in this study were 2.4% and 4.4%, respectively. The positive predictive value was 80.3% (CI 68.7-89.3%), and the negative predictive value was 96.8% (CI 93.8-98.7%). The accuracy of fine needle aspiration cytology in differentiating benign from malignant thyroid lesions was 93.1%. ConclusionFNAC demonstrated strong agreement with histopathology and remains a reliable, cost-effective first-line diagnostic tool for thyroid disease, particularly in resource-limited settings. Strengthening sample handling, ultrasound guidance, and adherence to Bethesda criteria may further improve diagnostic precision
ER -