Do stylet needles improve diagnostic accuracy in thyroid fine-needle aspiration? A retrospective analysis
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Compared to syringe needles, stylet needles are hypothesized to enhance the specimen adequacy of thyroid fine needle aspiration (FNA) by potentially minimizing blood contamination. However, this hypothesis lacks robust evidence for substantiation. Additionally, the substantially higher cost of stylet needles (often several orders of magnitude greater than syringe needles) raises concerns about increased procedural expenses. This study aimed to compare the outcomes of thyroid FNA using stylet versus syringe needles in a large cohort. METHODS: This retrospective analysis included 4793 FNA procedures (2088 using stylet needles and 2705 using syringe needles) performed by five operators. The primary outcome was specimen adequacy. Secondary outcomes included sensitivity, specificity, diagnostic accuracy, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV). RESULTS: No significant differences were found between stylet and syringe needle FNA for specimen adequacy (85.34% vs. 87.13%), sensitivity (95.24% vs. 96.99%), specificity (78.57% vs. 78.05%), diagnostic accuracy (93.96% vs. 95.07%), PPV (98.16% vs. 97.52%), or NPV (57.89% vs. 74.42%). Performance metrics for both methods were also not significantly different within each operator's data. CONCLUSION: This study found no significant benefit of stylet needles over syringe needles regarding specimen adequacy or diagnostic yield in thyroid FNA. CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER: Not applicable.
Source: BMC Endocrine Disorders
Authors: Pengfei Luo, Wei Ma, Dahai Jiao
Language: English
Subfield: Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,190
OpenAlex ID: W4411132539