"In 1995, the author modified Papanicolaou stain so that fine needle aspiration cytology would resemble histology, by hemolysing aspirated blood, and making the cells flatter and appear larger by air-drying and rehydration in saline. Fine needle aspiration (FNA) is the first test used nowadays to triage thyroid nodules for medical or surgical management. FNA has led to a decrease in the number of patients undergoing surgery for benign lesions and an increase in the detection of cancer in the surgical specimens. FNA has simplified the management of patients with nodular thyroid disease and as a consequence thyroid has become the most popular site for FNA in the past ten years"--Provided by publisher.n (FNA) is the first test used nowadays to triage thyroid nodules for medical or surgical management. FNA has led to a decrease in the number of patients undergoing surgery for benign lesions and an increase in the detection of cancer in the surgical specimens. FNA has simplified the management of patients with nodular thyroid disease and as a consequence thyroid has become the most popular site for FNA in the past ten years"--Provided by publisher.