Thyroid Cytology and Risk of Thyroid Cancer: Differences Among Indeterminate Specimens

ObjectiveTo assess the potential for stratification of indeterminate cytologic findings on fine-needle aspiration (FNA) of thyroid nodules in an effort to improve therapeutic strategies.MethodsWe attempted to determine the malignant risk associated with various indeterminate FNA cytologic patterns by correlation of specimens with the final histologic diagnosis. For this analysis, we identified 294 computerized medical records of surgically treated thyroid nodules during a 5-year period at our institution with the corresponding FNA cytology reports available.ResultsOf the 294 surgical cases, 162 with a positive or indeterminate cytologic report were selected, reviewed, and classified. Of 52 patients with positive cytologic findings on FNA, 51 (98%) had a final histologic report of a malignant thyroid nodule. Of 110 patients with indeterminate specimens, 30 (27%) had a final histologic diagnosis of thyroid carcinoma. The presence of nuclear atypia was predictive of thyroid carcinoma in 75% of patients, a Hürthle cell cytologic pattern was associated with a malignant thyroid nodule in 33%, and a hypercellular smear was suggestive of malignant involvement in 26% of cases. The lowest rate of malignant potential was associated with cytologic microfollicular and scant colloid alone subtype (6%).ConclusionThe results of this study show that indeterminate thyroid cytologic specimens can be subdivided into groups with different malignant risks. A microfollicular cytologic pattern in the absence of a hypercellular smear or nuclear atypia does not support a recommendation of surgical treatment. A malignant cytologic diagnosis has a high positive predictive value for detection of thyroid cancer. (Endocr Pract. 2004;10:330-334)     

Papillary breast lesions diagnosed on cytology. Profile of 65 cases

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the cytologic features of nipple discharge and fine needle aspiration (FNA) cytologic smears from breast lesions reported as showing papillary features and to correlate them with histopathologic features. STUDY DESIGN: The study group consisted of FNA smears and/or nipple discharge smears from 65 breast lesions diagnosed on cytology as duct papilloma, papillary lesion, fibrocystic condition, fibroadenoma, papillary neoplasm or papillary carcinoma. Cytomorphologic features assessed included cellularity, cell pattern (clusters, papillary, 3-dimensionality, etc.) and cell characteristics (monomorphism, pleomorphism, apocrine change, plasmacytoid features). Histological material was available for review and cytohistologic correlation in all cases. RESULTS: Forty-six specimens were FNA smears, and 16 were nipple discharge smears; in 3 cases FNA and nipple discharge cytologic smears were available for review. Cytologic study could predict the presence of a papillary pattern in all neoplasms with pure or focal papillary differentiation. There was an overlap in cytomorphologic features between papillary and nonpapillary benign lesions as well as between benign and malignant papillary neoplasms. Frank blood in the aspirate, cell dissociation and atypia, however, were more frequent in the last. CONCLUSION: Overlap of cytologic features in nonneoplastic and neoplastic benign papillary lesions and between benign and malignant papillary neoplasms necessitates histologic evaluation in all cases diagnosed as papillary on cytology. Since 49.2% of lesions showing papillary features on cytology prove to be malignant, all cases reported as papillary on cytology should be excised urgently for histologic assessment.     

Fine needle aspiration cytology of endocrine neoplasms of the pancreas. Morphologic and immunocytochemical findings in 20 cases

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the role of fine needle aspiration (FNA) cytology in the preoperative diagnosis of pancreatic endocrine neoplasms. METHODS: Cytologic and histologic diagnoses of pancreatic endocrine tumors were reviewed. A total of 20 FNA cytologic procedures from 20 patients were selected. A false positive case, a retroperitoneal paraganglioma, was also reviewed. Two groups of patients were established: (1) those in whom a surgical biopsy with an immunohistochemical study was available (n = 13), and (2) those with a pancreatic tumor in which the diagnosis was confirmed by immunocytochemical studies (n = 7). In 13 cases the pancreatic tumor was aspirated, while in 7, liver metastases were studied. The immunoexpression of chromogranin and synaptophysin was evaluated in alcohol-fixed smears from 12 and 11 cases, respectively. RESULTS: One false negative and 1 false positive diagnosis were present. In the remaining 19 cases a cytologic diagnosis of pancreatic endocrine tumor was given. Main cytologic features were: (1) a prominent cellular dissociation with many single cells and small, poorly cohesive groups; (2) intermediate to large size cells with ill-defined cytoplasm, naked or eccentric nuclei, and frequent binucleation; and (3) variable nuclear pleomorphism with the characteristic finely granular distribution of the chromatin. Immunocytochemical evidence of endocrine differentiation (chromogranin or synaptophysin) was present in the 12 cases analyzed. CONCLUSION: FNA cytology offers the possibility of a precise preoperative, noninvasive diagnosis of pancreatic endocrine tumors. Cytologic features differ considerably from those of pancreatic adenocarcinoma, allowing differentiation from nonfunctioning endocrine neoplasms. In difficult cases immunocytologic studies are very helpful.     

Cytologic diagnosis of metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma presenting as an orbital mass. A case report

BACKGROUND: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) metastasizing to the orbit is extremely rare. In the 13 cases reported in the English-langnage literature, the diagnosis was confirmed by fine needle aspiration (FNA) cytology only once. This is the second such case to be diagnosed by FNA cytology and the first to be reported from the Indian subcontinent. CASE: A 76-year-old woman presented with progressive proptosis, bulging of the globe and loss of vision in the right eye. Clinical and radiologic evidence favored a primary orbital tumor with liver metastasis. Cytologic examination of aspirated material from the orbital and liver masses showed features similar to those of HCC. CONCLUSION: Recognition of the cytologic features of HCC permits its diagnosis in metastatic sites. FNA can be employed as an effective tool for diagnosing HCC at metastatic sites, especially when biopsy is technically difficult.     

Papillary carcinoma of the breast. Cytologic study of nine cases.

OBJECTIVE: To study the cytologic findings of papillary breast carcinoma by fine needle aspiration. STUDY DESIGN: The study group consisted of fine needle aspiration (FNA) specimens of breast tumors from nine patients performed during the period 1988-1997. Eight were female, and one was male. The FNA results were compared with the final histologic diagnosis. RESULTS: The tumor sizes were 4-6.5 cm. The aspirations yielded a good amount of bloody material. The smears revealed high cellularity, papillary clusters, isolated low-to-tall columnar cells, mild to moderate atypia, hemorrhagic background, foam and hemosiderin-laden macrophages, calcification, rare mitoses, palisading row of cells and bipolar cytoplasmic eosinophilic granules. The smears were diagnosed as either suspicious or suggestive of papillary carcinoma. The histologic examination revealed invasive papillary carcinoma. CONCLUSION: Papillary carcinoma of the breast can be diagnosed by using a panel of cytologic findings that includes hypercellularity, papillary clusters, hemorrhagic background, palisading rows of tall columnar cells, cellular atypia and calcification. The interesting finding in this study was the presence of eosinophilic bipolar cytoplasmic granules, which has not been reported before.     

Fine needle aspiration biopsy versus sputum and bronchial material in the diagnosis of lung cancer. A comparative study of 168 patients

A group of 168 consecutive lung cancer patients in whom a definitive diagnosis of primary lung cancer was established either in a conventional cytologic specimen of sputum or bronchial material or in a specimen obtained by fine needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy was reviewed to compare the relative accuracies between the modalities of sputum and bronchial material on one hand versus FNA cytology on the other in the diagnosis of lung cancer. The patients included in the study were selected from a total of 1,093 patients who had been diagnosed and treated for lung cancer at Duke University Medical Center over the five-year period of January 1, 1980, through December 31, 1984. In 325 (29.8%) of the 1,093 patients, a definitive cancer diagnosis was established from histopathologic study alone, without any cytologic diagnoses. In 420 patients (38.4%), both histologic and cytologic material had been interpreted as being conclusively diagnostic for lung cancer. In 348 patients (31.8%), a cytologic diagnosis of lung cancer was made without a histologic confirmation. Thus, in a total of 768 (70.3%) of the 1,093 cases, a definitive cytologic diagnosis of cancer had been made. Of these 768 patients, 168 had been evaluated by both conventional respiratory cytologic methods (examination of sputum and bronchial material) and with FNA biopsy cytology. In 9 patients (5.4%), only conventional respiratory cytologic specimens were conclusively diagnostic for cancer. In 122 patients (72.6%), only the FNA biopsy specimen was diagnostic. In 37 patients (22.0%), both conventional respiratory specimens and FNA specimens yielded a definitive lung cancer diagnosis. The FNA specimen was the only positive cytologic specimen in 90.2% of large cell undifferentiated carcinomas, 79.5% of adenocarcinomas, 66.7% of small cell undifferentiated carcinomas and 58.2% of squamous cell carcinomas. In 26.5% of the patients, a diagnosis of cancer could have been established on conventional cytologic specimens, without the necessity of proceeding to percutaneous FNA biopsy. From this study, it is concluded that the techniques of conventional respiratory cytology and FNA biopsy cytology are complementary in the diagnosis of lung cancer. While the percentage of lung cancers diagnosed by FNA biopsy cytology alone is much greater than that obtained by conventional respiratory cytology alone, more than one-fourth of these cancers could be detected by the less invasive techniques of sputum collection and bronchoscopy.     

Fine needle aspiration cytodiagnosis of liver tumors

OBJECTIVE: To present our experience with liver fine needle aspiration (FNA) diagnosis and the adjunctive use of cell blocks with reticulin stain. STUDY DESIGN: The authors reviewed the results of cytopathologic diagnosis obtained by FNA biopsy over a 1-year period, from January 2000 to December 2000, in patients who presented primarily with ultrasonographically suspected liver nodules. FNA smears from 936 patients and cell blocks from 796 patients were reviewed. RESULTS: Among the 936 aspirates studied, the most common malignancy was hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), which was diagnosed in 427 cases (45.6%), followed by metastatic adenocarcinoma, with 52 cases (5.6%). The concurrent cell block was available in 796 cases. Among them, 574 (72.1%) contained sufficient tissue for diagnosis. Combining analysis of cytologic and histologic specimens, the sensitivity of ultrasound-guided FNA for diagnosis of liver tumors was 85.1% and the specificity 98.7%. The results were better than isolated cytologic analysis, which gave a sensitivity of 78.4% and specificity of 97.4%. The lower diagnostic accuracy of cytology resulted mainly from its lower ability to distinguish well-differentiated HCC from benign lesions. In the cell block sections with reticulin stain, all HCCs showed a decreased or absent reticulin pattern, whereas all the benign hepatocellular lesions usually had a normal trabecular reticulin framework. CONCLUSION: FNA cytology assisted by cell block examination can be an accurate and minimally invasive method for the definitive pathologic diagnosis of primary benign and malignant liver masses and for confirmation of tumors metastatic to the liver. In addition, reticulin staining should be part of the routine assessment of cell blocks. It enhances diagnostic accuracy, particularly for well-differentiated HCC.     

Fine needle aspiration (FNA) of testicular germ cell tumours; a 10-year experience in a community hospital

garcía-solano j., sánchez-sánchez c., montalbán-romero s., sola-pérez j. and pérez-guillermo m. (1998) Cytopathology 9, 248–262
Fine needle aspiration (FNA) of testicular germ cell tumours; a 10-year experience in a community hospital
A retrospective reappraisal is made of the smears of 29 testicular germ cell tumours (TGCT) studied by FNA in which both orchiectomy specimens and histologic diagnoses were available. In 22 cases (75.86%) the yield was sufficient and contained cells suitable for cytologic diagnosis; in these 22 cases a diagnosis of malignancy was reached. In four cases (13.79%) the yield was sparse and diagnostic cells were partially obscured by haemorrhage and necrosis; these cases were categorized as suspicious of malignancy. In three cases (10.34%) the yield was not suitable for cytologic evaluation because haemorrhage and necrosis hampered evaluation of diagnostic cells. The cytologic findings that enable a reliable diagnosis of TGCT are described and those cytologic features that may lead the less experienced cytopathologist into an erroneous diagnosis are discussed. Pure TGCT can be confidently diagnosed with FNA and mixed TGCT can be successfully diagnosed, although it is difficult to recognize every cytologic subtype observed in the histologic sections. Despite the advantages of FNA for the prompt diagnosis of TGCT, FNA can not fully replace the histologic diagnosis and should rather be considered as a helpful tool in the work-up of testicular tumours.     

Atypical epithelial cells, cannot exclude papillary carcinoma, in fine needle aspiration of the thyroid

OBJECTIVE: Atypical epithelial cells, cannot exclude papillary thyroid carcinoma (AEC-PTC), in fine needle aspiration (FNA) of the thyroid is a controversial diagnostic category that might cause a dilemma in patient management. STUDY DESIGN: Eighty-eight thyroid FNA specimens from 86 patients with a diagnosis of AEC-PTC were retrieved from our files in a 10-year period from December 1996 to December 2006. Of the 86 patients, 57 had follow-up histologic diagnoses and were included in this study. The cytologic and histologic materials were reviewed and correlated. RESULTS: Of the 57 patients, all had cytologic atypical features suggestive of PTC. Twenty-five cases of PTC were identified at surgery (44%). Review of the cytologic materials identified the following cytologic features, either alone or in combination strongly associated with PTC at resection: rare intranuclear cytoplasmic invagination (INCI), squamoid cytoplasm and psammoma bodies. CONCLUSION: The most common reasons for rendering the diagnosis of AEC-PTC in FNA of thyroid include rare atypical cells in a cystic thyroid nodule or a background of Hashimoto's thyroiditis. The cytologic features of LNCI, squamoid cytoplasm and psammoma bodies should alert the pathologist. Focal cytologic features of PTC in FNA samples are strongly associated with papillary carcinoma on resection.     

Clinicopathologic analysis of fine needle aspiration cytology of the thyroid. A review of 1,613 cases and correlation with histopathologic diagnoses

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the accuracy of fine needle aspiration (FNA) of thyroid lesions at our institution and to ascertain its usefulness in determining the therapeutic approach. STUDY DESIGN: The authors reviewed the results of 1,613 cases of FNA cytology of thyroid nodules performed from 1999 to 2001 at the Department of Pathology, Chonnam National University Hospital. Cytologic diagnoses were compared with histologic diagnoses in 207 cases that included both FNA and thyroid surgery. RESULTS: The sensitivity for the detection of neoplasms (carcinoma and follicular adenoma) was 78.4% and the specificity 98.2%. A false positive diagnosis was made in 1 case (1.8%) and false negative ones in 28 cases (21.5%). The diagnostic accuracy was 84.4%, with a positive predictive value of 99.0% and negative predictive value of 66.3%. The predictive value of a cytologic diagnosis was 100% in papillary carcinoma. CONCLUSION: FNA is a useful test in determining the therapeutic approach of thyroid lesions.     

Cytomorphologic characteristics, differential diagnosis and utility during intraoperative consultation for medulloblastoma

OBJECTIVE: To study the cytologic findings that differentiate LC/A and non-LC/A (NLCA) types. STUDY DESIGN: Cytologic smears, prepared during intraoperative consultation (IOC) of 43 cases of pure histologic type, defined as > 80% of the tumor being composed of 1 of 3 major histologic types--classic, nodular and LC/A--were reviewed and graded semiquantitatively (0-3+) for 14 cytologic features: cellularity, nuclear streaming, endothelial proliferation, necrosis, lymphoglandular bodies, rosette formation, apoptosis, nuclear cannibalism, pleomorphism, macronucleoli, paranuclear inclusions, cytoplasmic vacuoles, mitoses and multinucleation. The grades were compared between the 2 histologic groups, LC/A vs. NLCA, as well as between the preparation methods, squash vs. touch (TP). Values of p < 0.05 were accepted as statistically significant. RESULTS: "Cell wrapping" (cannibalism), pleomorphism, macronucleoli, apoptosis, mitoses and cytoplasmic vacuoles were more significantly observed in LC/A than in NLCA. CONCLUSION: Intraoperative cytologic evaluation of these cytologic parameters allows distinction between LC/A and NLCA, which can be prognostically useful during IOC. Rosette formation, the histologic hallmark of classic medulloblastoma, is not a discriminator. Given the fewer artifacts and sufficient cellularity, TP is the preferred method of cytologic preparation.     

Qualitative and quantitative analysis of cytologic assessment of astrocytoma, oligodendroglioma and oligoastrocytoma

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the usefulness of intraoperative cytology for differential diagnoses of astrocytoma, oligodendroglioma and oligoastrocytoma. STUDY DESIGN: Qualitative analysis of cytologic features of the 3 brain tumors was conducted using intraoperative touch or squash preparations that were stained with the Papanicolaou method, targeting the cellular density, cytoplasmic and nuclear profiles and blood vessel morphology. In addition, we attempted a computer-assisted image analysis of tumor cell nuclei and compared the results with qualitative observations. RESULTS: Astrocytomas were characterized by many fibrillary cytoplasmic processes and large, irregular nuclei. Oligodendrogliomas were characterized by small, round nuclei and a fine, delicate capillary network. In both tumors of a higher grade, anaplastic large nuclei and proliferating endothelial cells were noted. Oligoastrocytomas showed combined cytologic profiles of astrocytomas and oligodendrogliomas. Quantitative studies suggested that nuclei of oligodendroglial tumors were significantly rounder than those of astrocytomas. In general, the quantitative results were consistent with the qualitative observations. CONCLUSION; Cytologic evaluation using touch or squash preparations is of great help for intraoperative differential diagnosis of astrocytoma, oligodendroglioma and oligoastrocytoma. Cytologic as well as histologic assessment should be conducted at the intraoperative diagnosis of these tumors.     

Diagnostic use of mean nuclear area and nuclear DNA content in preoperative breast cancer cytology

OBJECTIVE: Fine needle aspiration (FNA) cytology of breast lumps is a routine procedure, and the diagnostic accuracy can be 95%. Occasional discrepancies arise, and it would be valuable to have additional parameters for accurate diagnosis. We evaluated nuclear DNA content and mean nuclear area (MNA) using image cytometry in the diagnosis of preoperative breast cancers by FNA in those with a discrepancy between clinical, radiologic and cytologic diagnoses. STUDY DESIGN: One hundred eighteen consecutive preoperative FNA samples were evaluated for nuclear DNA and MNA and were compared to cytologic and postoperative histologic diagnoses. RESULTS: Sensitivity, accuracy and positive predictive value of routine cytology were 95%, 90%, 95% as compared to nuclear DNA (66%, 66%, 96%) and MNA (61%, 61%, 97%). Combining these 3 parameters gave a sensitivity of 97%, accuracy of 94% and positive predictive value of 99%. CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate that nuclear DNA and MNA combined with routine cytology may be useful adjuncts in preoperative breast cancer cytologic diagnosis when discrepancies arise. This may lead to better and more accurate planning of treatment regimens in preoperative breast cancer patients.     

Apocrine adenocarcinoma of the vulva with associated Paget's disease. Diagnosis of lymph node metastases by fine needle aspiration biopsy

The cytologic features of a fine needle aspiration biopsy of lymph node metastases from a vulvar adenocarcinoma with apocrine differentiation are documented. Cytologic findings that suggested apocrine differentiation included extreme nuclear eccentricity, punctate eosinophilic cytoplasmic granules and moundlike protrusion of apical cytoplasm. The cytologic findings correlated well with the histologic and histochemical features of the primary vulvar adenocarcinoma and its lymph node metastases.     

Adenoid cystic carcinoma metastatic to the lung. Report of a case diagnosed by fine needle aspiration biopsy cytology

Cytologic examination of a fine needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy specimen served to diagnose a lung metastasis in a patient with an adenoid cystic carcinoma primary in a minor salivary gland of the hard palate. The aspiration cytologic features of the metastatic adenoid cystic carcinoma were similar to those of primary adenoid cystic carcinoma, including uniform tumor cells with scant cytoplasm surrounding transparent, mucoid spherical bodies. FNA biopsy cytologic diagnosis of metastatic adenoid cystic carcinoma is accurate, particularly if mucoid spherical bodies are present.     

Fine needle aspiration of chromophobe renal cell carcinoma

OBJECTIVE: To describe the cytomorphologic findings of chromophobe renal cell carcinoma (CRCC) in order to preoperatively distinguish this rare neoplasm from other primary or secondary tumors arising from the kidney or presenting as retroperitoneal masses. STUDY DESIGN: Clinical data, fine needle aspiration (FNA) and follow-up surgical specimens from 4 patients with CRCC (3 primaries and 1 metastatic to the liver) were reviewed. Electron microscopy was available for 2 histologic specimens. RESULTS: Two tumors (1 primary and 1 metastatic case) were readily identified as CRCC on FNA. The 2 remaining cases were diagnosed as renal cell carcinoma (RCC) consistent with CRCC. All tumors showed aspirates with moderate to high cellularity, with the cells arranged in small clusters and single cells. Neoplastic cells had abundant heterogeneous cytoplasm, a thickened cell membrane, nuclear hyperchromasia, nuclear outline irregularity, significant nuclear size variation, intranuclear inclusions and frequent binucleation. Histology of the 4 renal tumors was characteristic of CRCC, with positivity for Hale's colloidal iron in all cases. Ultrastructurally, characteristic cytoplasmic microvesicles were observed in the 2 cases that we studied. CONCLUSION: In the adequate clinicoradiologic setting, CRCC has distinctive cytologic features that may allow an accurate preoperative FNA diagnosis.     

Fine needle aspiration cytology of clear cell sarcoma. Report of a case with immunocytochemical, immunohistochemical and ultrastructural studies.

Cytologic findings of clear cell sarcoma obtained by fine needle aspiration (FNA) of a tumor are described. The tumor probably originated in the retroperitoneal tissue, and the diagnosis was confirmed histologically by open biopsy. Percutaneous needle aspirates of the intraabdominal tumor and touch preparations obtained from the open biopsy specimen revealed numerous atypical cells with an extremely hyperchromatic nucleus, prominent nucleoli and clear cytoplasm. The cytoplasm was rich in glycogen. The immunocytochemical technique demonstrated S-100 protein and neuron-specific enolase in the cytoplasm, both of which were exhibited also in the histologic specimen. Clear cell sarcoma is a rare tumor of soft tissue, and to our knowledge, detailed cytologic appearances of this tumor obtained by FNA have not been reported. In addition, the present tumor was unique in location. It is possible to diagnose clear cell sarcoma accurately on an FNA cytologic specimen if the periodic acid-Schiff stain and immunocytochemical technique are utilized in addition to the routine Papanicolaou method.     

Fine needle aspiration of pediatric abdominal masses. Cytologic and electron microscopic diagnosis.

Fine needle aspiration (FNA) was performed under ultrasound guidance on 17 abdominal masses in 16 pediatric patients at Baragwanath Hospital. The aspirated cellular material was assessed by conventional cytomorphology and by electron microscopy (EM). A diagnosis of malignancy was rendered for all 15 tumors that were adequately sampled (88.2%); the remaining 2 masses yielded insufficient material for either light microscopy or EM. Cytologic cell typing (including the use of EM) was successful in 12 of the 15 tumors (80%) as compared with the histologic diagnosis. EM was in agreement with the initial cytologic diagnosis in eight tumors, but corrected the initial impression in four tumors. The tumors with adequate aspirates included nine nephroblastomas and single examples of neuroblastoma, hepatoblastoma, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, renal carcinoma and malignant rhabdoid tumor. The last three were not accurately typed by cytology plus EM. These preliminary results suggest that FNA cytology with adjunctive EM could become a useful technique in the preoperative assessment of pediatric abdominal tumors.     

Value of fine needle aspiration cytology in the initial diagnosis of Hodgkin's disease. Analysis of 188 cases with an emphasis on diagnostic pitfalls

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy and pitfalls of fine needle aspiration (FNA) cytology in the initial evaluation of Hodgkin's disease (HD) and to assess the influence of the pathologist's experience by comparing the results during two periods. STUDY DESIGN: A total of 170 cytodiagnoses of HD were reviewed and compared with those on the final histopathologic report. Thirty-three cases of HD with a previous, different cytologic diagnosis were also selected. In all the cases under study, FNA was performed as part of the initial diagnostic approach. From a practical perspective, diagnostic errors were divided into major or minor according to the consequences on patient management. RESULTS: Fifteen cytologic diagnoses of HD were followed by a different histologic diagnosis after lymph node biopsy. In 33 cases of HD an erroneous cytologic diagnosis was given prior to biopsy. The sensitivity of the series was 82.4% (86.1% excluding nonrepresentative cases). The positive predictive value reached 91.2%. Sensitivity varied from 79.3% in the first period (1982-1990) to 84.9% in the second (1991-1999) (83.3% and 88.2%, respectively, excluding nonrepresentative cases). Similarly, the positive predictive value increased from 89% to 92.8%. Diagnostic errors with important consequences for patient management diminished from 14 in the first period to 5 in the second. CONCLUSION: Cytology offers a rapid and accurate approach not only for the diagnosis of recurrent HD but also for its initial recognition. These results increase the capacity of FNA as a first-level diagnostic technique in the screening of lymphadenopathies.     

Statistical analysis of fine needle aspiration cytology of the breast. A review of 678 cases plus 4,265 cases from the literature

Between 1979 and 1984, 678 breast fine needle aspiration (FNA) cytologic specimens were received in our laboratory; tissue follow-up was available for 159 cases (23%). The diagnoses rendered in cases with subsequent tissue study were benign (41%), insufficient (10.5%), atypical and/or suspicious for carcinoma (10.5%) and malignant (38%). Using the tissue diagnosis as the standard, there were four false-negative cytologic results and one false-positive result. Considering only cases with a definitive diagnosis of benign or malignant, the sensitivity of cytologic interpretation for diagnosing malignancy on adequate material was 94% while the specificity was 98%; the overall efficiency of the test was thus 96%. The predictive values were 98% for a positive test and 94% for a negative test. Of the total number of submitted cases, a correct and definitive diagnosis was rendered 76% of the time. Calculation of similar statistics from six other series in which the FNA cytologic diagnoses were compared with the histologic diagnoses yielded data almost identical to our findings. The high degree of uniformity in the data indicates that these statistical parameters can be used as standards for evaluating the efficiency of breast FNA cytology.