Objective To compare the diagnostic accuracy, sensitivity, specificity and complications between ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration cytology and core needle biopsy histology in thyroid nodules.

Methods A total of 98 thyroid nodules of 95 patients suspected as malignancy by ultrasonography were collected and examined by ultrasonic-guided fine needle aspiration cytology and core needle biopsy histology, which were confirmed by surgical treatment and postoperative routine pathological examination. The diagnostic accuracy, sensitivity, specificity and complications of the two methods were compared. The correlation of nodules diameter with the adequacy and diagnostic accuracy was analyzed.

Results The adequacy of fine needle aspiration and core needle biopsy were 89.8% and 96.9%. The accuracy, sensitivity, specificity of fine needle aspiration cytology and core needle biopsy histology in diagnosing thyroid nodules were 86.4%, 82.6%, 90.5% and 90.5%, 93.2%, 86.1%, respectively. The complication rate of core needle biopsy was higher than that of fine needle aspiration (14.3% vs. 2.0%, P < 0.05). When the diameter of the thyroid nodules was ≥1.0 cm, the diagnostic accuracy of the core needle biopsy was higher than that of the fine needle aspiration (P < 0.05).

Conclusion Fine needle aspiration cytology and core needle biopsy histology are complementary in the diagnosis of thyroid nodules.