Investigation of the effect of practitioner experience on pathology results in thyroid fine needle aspiration biopsies

Year 2026, Volume: 9 Issue: 1, 105 - 110, 05.01.2026

Mehmet İhsan İlmin , Muhammed Akif Deniz , Zeynep Can , İbrahim İbiloğlu , Zafer Pekkolay , Mehmet Turmak

https://doi.org/10.32322/jhsm.1785986

https://izlik.org/JA99BM78WC

Abstract

Aims: This study evaluates the effect of practitioner experience on specimen adequacy in thyroid FNABs. It also examines how nodule characteristics (solid, semisolid, or cystic), patient age, and gender influence cytological outcomes.
Methods: This retrospective study was conducted at the Interventional Radiology Unit of DUFMH to evaluate the adequacy, nodule type, and cytological diagnosis of thyroid FNABs. Data from 215 FNABs in 200 patients were analyzed. Operators were categorized as experienced or less experienced based on years of practice. Nodule type (solid, semisolid or cystic), number of biopsy attempts, and cytological outcomes were recorded. Data analysis was done using SPSS version 27. Adequacy rates and diagnostic categories were compared between groups using chi-square tests and logistic regression models.
Results: The overall sample adequacy rate was 74.4%. Experienced operators achieved significantly higher adequacy rates compared to less experienced operators (85.0% vs. 63.0%, p<0.001). Solid and semisolid nodules were more likely to yield adequate samples than cystic nodules. Repeat biopsies were more common among patients initially biopsied by less experienced operators. Multivariate analysis confirmed operator experience and nodule type as independent predictors of sample adequacy.
Conclusion: Operator experience plays a critical role in obtaining adequate cytological samples during thyroid FNAB procedures. Structured training and supervision of less experienced radiologists may enhance diagnostic performance, reduce the need for repeat biopsies, and improve patient management.

Keywords

Thyroid , nodule , fine-needle aspiration biopsy , specimen adequacy , operator experience

Ethical Statement

The study was initiated with the approval of the Dicle University Medical Faculty’s Ethics Committee (Date: 25 August 2044, Decision No:242 ).

Supporting Institution

The authors declared that this study has received no financial support

Tiroid ince iğne aspirasyon biyopsilerinde uygulayıcı tecrübesinin patoloji sonuçlarına etkisinin araştırılması

https://izlik.org/JA99BM78WC

Abstract

Amaç: Bu çalışma, tiroid ince iğne aspirasyon biyopsilerinde (İİAB) uygulayıcı tecrübesinin, örnek yeterliliği üzerindeki etkisini değerlendirmektedir. Ayrıca nodül özelliklerinin (solid, yarı solid veya kistik), hastanın yaşı ve cinsiyetinin sitolojik sonuçlara etkisi incelenmiştir.
Yöntemler: Bu retrospektif çalışma, DUFMH Girişimsel Radyoloji Ünitesi’nde tiroid İİAB’lerinin yeterliliği, nodül tipi ve sitolojik tanısını değerlendirmek amacıyla yürütülmüştür. 200 hastadan alınan 215 İİAB verisi analiz edilmiştir. Uygulayıcılar, mesleki deneyim yılına göre “deneyimli” ve “daha az deneyimli” olarak kategorize edilmiştir. Nodül tipi (solid, yarı solid veya kistik), biyopsi girişim sayısı ve sitolojik sonuçlar kaydedilmiştir. Veri analizi SPSS sürüm 27 kullanılarak yapılmıştır. Yeterlilik oranları ve tanısal kategoriler gruplar arasında ki-kare testleri ve lojistik regresyon modelleri ile karşılaştırılmıştır.
Bulgular: Genel örnek yeterliliği oranı %74,4 olarak bulunmuştur. Tecrübeli uygulayıcılar, daha az deneyimli olanlara kıyasla anlamlı olarak daha yüksek yeterlilik oranı elde etmiştir (%85,0’e karşı %63,0, p<0,001). Solid ve yarı solid nodüller, kistik nodüllere göre daha yeterli örnek sağlamıştır. İlk biyopsisi daha az deneyimli uygulayıcı tarafından yapılan hastalarda tekrarlanan biyopsi daha sık görülmüştür. Çok değişkenli analizde, uygulayıcı deneyimi ve nodül tipi örnek yeterliliğinin bağımsız belirleyicileri olarak saptanmıştır.
Sonuçlar: Tiroid İİAB işlemlerinde yeterli sitolojik örnek elde edilmesinde uygulayıcı deneyimi kritik bir rol oynamaktadır. Daha az deneyimli radyologların yapılandırılmış eğitim ve denetim süreçlerinden geçirilmesi, tanısal başarıyı artırabilir, tekrarlayan biyopsi gereksinimini azaltabilir ve hasta yönetimini iyileştirebilir.

Keywords

Tiroid , nodül , ince iğne aspirasyon biyopsisi , örnek yeterliliği , uygulayıcı tecrübesi

Ethical Statement

Bu çalışma, Dicle Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi Etik Kurulu'nun onayını almıştır (Tarih: 25 Ağustos 2044, Karar No: 242).

Supporting Institution

Bütün yazarlar bu çalışmanın herhangi bir kurumdan destek almadığını belirtir.

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