200 patients presenting electively for thyroid FNA will recruited. Patients will be randomly assigned to two groups: short axis or long axis FNA. FNA will be performed by a single physician at the Ziv medical center ENT clinics.~patient group randomization will be performed according to a random number sequence generated by the SPSS system. Randomization will be performed on admission prior to the procedure.~FNAC sample diagnosis will be performed according to the regular protocol. Laboratory personnel will be blinded to the sample group.~sample results will be compared and analyzed. A P value of less than 0.05 will be regarded as significant.
Ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) has been proven to be an accurate and efficient tool in thyroid nodule evaluation. Thyroid nodule aspiration is performed by the use of either two techniques; the short axis approach by which only the tip of the needle is observed, or the long axis approach by which the entire needle is observed. Controversial remains of which approach produces better diagnostic adequacy and less non-diagnostic (Bethesda category I) results.