Fine needle aspiration cytology of the thyroid: a cytohistologic study with evaluation of discordant cases

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the diagnostic efficacy of fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) in the initial evaluation of thyroid nodules, with special emphasis on discrepant cytologic diagnoses. STUDY DESIGN: A total of 192 thyroid fine needle aspirates with subsequent histopathologic follow-up were analyzed. The cytologic diagnoses were divided into 4 categories: positive for malignancy, negative for malignancy, indeterminate for diagnosis and nondiagnostic. The detailed cytologic features were studied along with histopathology sections in all these cases by 2 observers (S.J. and P.D) independently. RESULTS: Cytohistologic correlation was seen in 78.1% of cases and discordance in 21.9%. Indeterminate diagnoses accounted for 15.1% of cases. The majority of these were "follicular neoplasms." The overall sensitivity was 84.44% and specificity 99.11 %. A false positive diagnosis was made in 1 case (0.5%), proven a follicular adenoma on histopathologic examination. A false negative diagnosis was seen in 3.6% of cases. These were cases of papillary microcarcinoma. CONCLUSION: FNAC is a safe, sensitive and specific technique in the initial evaluation of thyroid nodules. A correct cytologic diagnosis can be achieved in a majority of cases, thus obviating the need for a second surgical intervention. A careful and diligent search for various cytologic features and accurate sampling can help in reducing the number of indeterminate, false positive and false negative diagnoses.     

Ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration cytology in the diagnosis and management of thyroid nodules

OBJECTIVE: To examine the accuracy of fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) in the diagnosis of thyroid nodules and compare the inadequacy rates for ultrasound-guided and freehand FNAC. METHODS: A retrospective study of 434 patients with thyroid nodules who underwent diagnostic FNAC over a 2-year period. Cytological diagnoses have been compared with the histological assessment of resection specimens in 69 cases. RESULTS: The inadequacy rate was significantly lower from ultrasound guided FNAC (24/373 cases, 6.4%) than from freehand FNAC (8/61 cases, 13.1%) (P = 0.043). Seventy-six percentage of patients had a non-neoplastic cytological diagnosis and, after multidisciplinary review, the patients were reassured and assigned to clinical follow-up. Sixty-seven patients had a resection for cytological appearances consistent with non-neoplastic disease (n = 34), suspicious of follicular neoplasia (n = 23), or suspicious of malignancy (n = 10), and two patients had resections following inadequate cytology with ultrasound appearances suspicious of a neoplasm. The overall accuracy of FNAC analysis for malignancy was 97.0%, with sensitivity 83.3%, specificity 98.0%, positive predictive value 71.4% and negative predictive value 98.4%. The overall accuracy of FNAC analysis for the prediction of neoplasia was 97.5%, with sensitivity 80.5%, specificity 97.8%, positive predictive value 89.2% and negative predictive value 95.9%. Difficulties in cytological diagnosis were associated with lymphoid infiltrates and with degenerative changes in follicular adenomas. CONCLUSION: Ultrasound-guided FNAC has a significantly lower yield of inadequate aspirates than palpable FNAC. The ability of FNAC to predict neoplasia in 89% patients and to exclude neoplasia in 95.9% patients makes an important contribution to the multidisciplinary assessment of patients.     

Power Doppler improves the diagnostic accuracy of color Doppler ultrasonography in cold thyroid nodules: follow-up results

The usefulness of a recent color Doppler (CD) ultrasonography technique, named power Doppler (PD), was evaluated in the diagnosis of thyroid nodules showing low or absent uptake of (99m)Tc-pertechnetate, in order to investigate the possibility to improve the diagnostic accuracy of ultrasonography. The rationale was the evidence that at PD the color map displays the total integrated Doppler power in color, while CD generally displays an estimate of the mean Doppler shift. The vascular patterns recorded at PD and CD evaluation of 322 thyroid nodules were compared to the results of cytology and/or histology, when surgery was performed. In respect to the results of cytology, PD has a higher sensitivity (100 vs. 91%) and specificity (95.1 vs. 86.2%) than CD. A similar result was found when PD and CD were compared to the results of histology, sensitivity being 100 vs. 89% and specificity 98.1 vs. 93.7%, respectively. During the follow-up the 2 nodules considered false positive at PD resulted to be tumoral lesions. On this basis, the final specificity of PD in our series was 100%. In conclusion, in the current series including 322 thyroid nodules characterized by a low or absent uptake of (99m)Tc-pertechnetate, PD seems to provide a better characterization of thyroid nodules, possibly allowing a more accurate selection of the patients to subject to fine-needle biopsy.     

Diagnostic pitfalls in the evaluation of fine needle aspiration cytology of the thyroid: correlation with histopathology in 260 cases

Objectives:  Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) of the thyroid is a non-invasive, cost-effective screening procedure that is valuable for distinguishing neoplastic lesions from non-neoplastic nodules. The aim of this study was to determine the diagnostic accuracy of FNACs performed at our institution by correlating FNAC results with histopathological diagnoses.
Methods:  Two hundred and seventy-one aspiration cytology specimens followed by thyroidectomy were included in the study, and the results of 260 adequate FNACs were compared with their histological diagnoses.
Results:  The sensitivity and specificity of thyroid FNAC for detecting neoplasia were 92.6% and 91.6%, respectively. There were 15 (5.7%) false positives and six (2.3%) false negatives.
Conclusions:  The results showed that follicular cells that exhibit some of the features of papillary carcinoma could be observed in a cytology slide of Hashimoto's thyroiditis, leading to a diagnostic pitfall. In addition, cellularity and overlapping cytological criteria in hyperplasia might lead to a false diagnosis.     

Importance of guided fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) for the diagnostics of thyroid nodules - own experience

The aim of our study was to assess the accuracy and limitations of ultrasound guided fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) of thyroid nodules. METHODS: The usg-FNAC results of 245 patients with thyroid nodules, who afterwards underwent thyroid surgery or who died, and autopsies were carried out, and compared retrospectively with cytologic results. Patients with malignant cytologic conclusion without histological confirmation after surgery or autopsy were excluded from the study (9 persons). The usg-FNAC results were divided as follows: group 1: diagnosis of malignancy (n = 30), group 2: suspicion of malignancy (n = 28), group 3: benign (n = 126), group 4: inconclusive (n = 29). RESULTS: Assuming the cytologic results of group 1 and group 2 were interpreted as being malignant and those of group 3 as being benign, the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of usg-FNAC were 90 %, 85 % and 86 % respectively. Comparing the cytologic conclusions between a group of patients with follicular lesions and a subgroup of other lesions a statistically significant difference (p < 0,01) between both subgroups using Fisher's test was found. Sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic accuracy in subgroup of follicular lesions were low (71 %, 63 %, 67 %), while in the subgroup of other lesions were high (94 %, 86 %, 88 %). FNAC can specify the nature of focal lesion with high sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic accuracy in the cases of non-follicular lesions. Histological evaluation is required to specification of the nature in cases in which cytology is indicative of follicular proliferation.     

Value of repeated fine needle aspiration cytology in patients with nodular goiter

OBJECTIVE: To assess the value of reaspiration cytology in benign nodular thyroid disease. DESIGN: We prospectively studied 400 patients (365 women, 35 men) aged 46 years (18-89) with nodular thyroid disease and initial benign fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC). Reaspiration of the same nodule was performed in a median follow-up time of 14 months (6-18). RESULTS: Repeat FNAC was benign in 346 patients (86.5%), insufficient for diagnosis in 42 (10.5%), suspicious in 16 (2.5%) and malignant in 2 (0.5%). All diagnostic changes to suspicious malignant cytology took place in patients with solitary nodules. Surgery confirmed thyroid cancer in the 2 patients with malignant cytology, in 5 of 10 patients with suspicious cytology and in none of 39 patients with benign cytology who underwent surgery for other reasons. Clinical changes (size increase or local symptoms) were not related to changes in cytologic diagnosis after a second aspiration, nor with the results of the biopsy. CONCLUSION: Repeat aspiration cytology of thyroid nodules may correct initial false negative results because of cytologic misdiagnosis, occurring in 1.75% of patients, whereas clinical changes did not contribute to diagnosis change. Repeat aspiration cytology is recommended in all patients with nodular goiter.     

甲状腺结节良恶性的彩色多普勒超声特征及其诊断价值分析

目的:研究甲状腺结节良恶性的彩色多普勒超声特征及其诊断价值。方法:选取从2016年3月~2019年2月于我院接受手术治疗的甲状腺疾病患者300例作为研究对象,均予以彩超检查,比较甲状腺良恶性结节的超声特征(主要包括直径、钙化情况、边界、回声、血流状况)。以病理活检结果为金标准,分析彩超诊断甲状腺结节良恶性的敏感性、特异性以及准确度。对比甲状腺良恶性结节的血流分型情况以及各项血流动力学参数。结果:恶性结节超声特征直径≥2 cm、有钙化、边界模糊、无回声/低回声、血流丰富人数占比均高于良性结节(均P<0.05)。以手术病理组织活检结果作为金标准,彩色多普勒超声诊断甲状腺结节的敏感性、特异性以及准确度分别为97.73%、86.11%、96.33%。甲状腺良性结节血流分型为Ⅰ型、Ⅱ型人数占比高于恶性结节,而Ⅲ型、Ⅳ型人数占比低于恶性结节(均P<0.05)。甲状腺良性结节的收缩期峰值血流速度(PSV)、阻力指数(RI)均低于恶性结节,而舒张末期血流速度(EDV)高于恶性结节(均P<0.05)。结论:彩色多普勒超声对甲状腺结节良恶性的鉴别价值较高,且具有较高的敏感性、特异性以及准确度,可为甲状腺良恶性结节的早期诊断、临床治疗提供重要的参考依据。     

Fine needle aspiration cytology in the management of male breast masses. Nineteen years of experience.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the utility and accuracy of fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) as well as its sensitivity, specificity and predictive value in the diagnosis of male breast masses. STUDY DESIGN: Data on male breast FNAC done between 1978 and 1997 were retrieved from the records of the cytopathology laboratory. FNAC diagnoses were categorized as positive, negative, inconclusive or unsatisfactory. Cytohistologic correlation was done with data from histopathology records. Sensitivity, specificity, diagnostic accuracy and predictive values of FNAC were calculated using standard statistical methods. RESULTS: Five hundred seven of 13,175 patients undergoing breast FNAC were males. Of them, 393/507 had satisfactory aspirates. Of these, 70 were positive (13.8%), 295 were negative (58%), and 29 were inconclusive (5.7%). A total of 114 FNACs (22.5%) were unsatisfactory. Histopathology was available in 97/507 cases. There were no false positive or false negative diagnoses. FNAC had a sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic accuracy of 100% for male breast lesions. CONCLUSION: This large study shows that FNAC is a very accurate tool for diagnosis of male breast lesions. It is highly sensitive and specific, with good cytohistologic correlation. FNAC should therefore be an integral part of the primary assessment of breast lumps in males.     

超声检查联合MMP-2、MMP-9水平检测对甲状腺癌的诊断价值

目的:探讨超声检查联合基质金属蛋白酶-2(MMP-2)、基质金属蛋白酶-9(MMP-9)水平检测对甲状腺癌的诊断价值。方法:选取2014年6月-2016年6月我院收治的480例甲状腺结节患者作为研究对象,根据患者病情分为良性结节患者412例(良性结节组)和甲状腺癌患者68例(甲状腺癌组)。对所有患者进行超声检查与MMP-2、MMP-9水平检测,比较两组MMP-2、MMP-9水平,并比较超声检查与超声联合MMP-2、MMP-9水平检测对甲状腺癌的诊断价值。结果:甲状腺癌组MMP-2、MMP-9水平均显著高于良性结节组(P0.05),且甲状腺癌组超声弹性图像评分多为3~4分,良性结节组则多为0~2分,两组超声弹性成像评分所占比例比较差异有统计学意义(P0.05);超声联合MMP-2、MMP-9诊断良性甲状腺结节的阴性率和甲状腺癌的阳性率均高于超声诊断,差异有统计学意义(P0.05);超声联合MMP-2、MMP-9的灵敏性、特异性、准确性分别为89.7%、85.2%、85.8%,均显著高于超声诊断的76.5%、68.7%、69.8%,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:超声检查联合MMP-2、MMP-9水平检测能够有效鉴别甲状腺癌,其灵敏性、特异性、准确性均较高,值得在临床上推广。     

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.     

Cytology and mRNA expression analysis of fine needle aspirates of thyroid nodules in an East German region with borderline iodine deficiency.

Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is widely recommended as an important tool for pre-operative identification of malignancy in patients with nodular thyroid disease. To assess the diagnostic contribution of FNAC and the potential of quantitative mRNA analysis in fine needle aspirates in daily practice, we conducted a prospective study in thyroid clinics (n=2) and endocrine practices (n=3), respectively in an East German region with borderline iodine deficiency. Two-hundred and forty-four consecutive FNACs were obtained over a period of 2 years (2002-2004) from euthyroid patients presenting for first evaluation of a solitary thyroid nodule. The mean nodule size for FNAC was 27 mm (range: 10-79 mm). In 55% of patients FNAC was performed after scintiscan detection of a cold or normal functioning thyroid nodule (CTN), while in the remainder FNAC was performed as a primary investigation. FNAC outcomes were: 57.8% benign, 22.1% indeterminate, 2.5% suspicious for malignancy, 17.6% non-diagnostic. Messenger RNA levels for a house keeping gene (beta-actin) and a thyroid specific marker (thyroglobulin, Tg) were studied as basic molecular markers using real-time PCR. Both in the IN VIVO and EX VIVO FNA series, beta-actin and Tg mRNA levels were positively correlated with the thyrocyte cell yield/respective FNA smear. However, subgroup analysis showed that FNAC with histologically confirmed follicular thyroid cancer and/or microfollicular adenoma exhibited significantly lower Tg mRNA expression despite high beta-actin levels. Sufficient mRNA quantities were obtained in >90% of FNA specimen to allow quantitative mRNA analysis of at least 5 further genes. In conclusion, quantitative mRNA analysis is feasible in FNA on a routine basis and provides a perspective for a molecular distinction of thyroid nodules, once specific marker genes have been defined for benign and malignant thyroid tumours respectively.     

Cytologic features of metastatic papillary thyroid carcinoma in cervical lymph nodes

OBJECTIVE: To elucidate the cytologic characteristics of metastatic papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) in cervical lymph nodes and the differences in cervical lymph nodes from those of stage I (intrathyroidal) PTC. STUDY DESIGN: Forty-seven cases of papillary thyroid carcinoma with cervical lymph node metastasis (group A) and 38 cases of intrathyroidal papillary carcinoma (group B) were included in this study. Preoperative fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) examination was performed on enlarged cervical lymph nodes (47 cases, group A) and enlarged thyroid nodules (13 cases, group A, and 38 cases, group B). All the cases were surgically excised and pathologically verified. The cytologic smears were reviewed and analyzed. RESULTS: The cytologic characteristics of metastatic PTC in cervical lymph nodes displayed a higher frequency of foamy macrophages (51.1% vs. 26.3%) and a lower frequency of distinct cell borders (38.3% vs. 71.1%) than those of stage I PTC. Metastatic PTC in cervical lymph nodes also had a higher frequency of cystic degeneration (44.7% vs. 5.3%) than intrathyroidal lesions. In 1 of the 47 cases with lymph node metastasis, the aspirate contained macrophages but no tumor cells. CONCLUSION: FNAC was useful in the diagnosis of metastatic PTC in cervical lymph nodes. However, because cystic degeneration appeared frequently, FNAC combined with thyroid ultrasonography to find the primary lesion is necessary in this situation.     

Fine needle aspiration cytology diagnosis of tuberculous thyroiditis. A report of eight cases.

Among 1,283 cases of thyroid lesions subjected to fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) over a period of two years, 8 cases (0.6%) were found to be having cytologic features consistent with tuberculous thyroiditis. The ages of the patients ranged from 14 to 65 years, with a median of 30. The male:female ratio was 4:4. Six cases clinically presented with solitary nodules of the thyroid and two cases as abscesses in the thyroid region. Three patients had concomitant cervical lymphadenopathy, and only two patients were known cases of tuberculosis on treatment. Ultrasonography, done in seven cases, confirmed solitary nodules in four; in one case the differentiation between an extrathyroid nodule and cystic isthmic nodule was difficult, and in the remaining two cases the lesions were found to be extrathyroid. Fine needle aspirates from thyroid swellings showed epithelioid granuloma with necrosis in five cases and necrosis without epithelioid granuloma in three cases. The number of cases positive for acid-fast bacilli in these two groups were two and three, respectively. Lymph node aspiration, done in three cases, revealed necrotic material in two; both were positive for acid-fast bacilli, and the third case showed epithelioid granuloma without necrosis.     

Fine needle aspiration cytology of thyroid nodules: how accurate is it and what are the causes of discrepant cases?

Fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is widely accepted as the most accurate, sensitive, specific and cost-effective diagnostic procedure in the assessment of thyroid nodules and helps to select people preoperatively for surgery. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the results of thyroid FNAC in our institution and to determine the reasons for discrepancies between the cytological and histological diagnosis. We evaluated the cytological and histological results of 254 FNACs obtained from 231 patients who underwent subsequent thyroid surgery. All of the material was blindly reviewed for quality control, by one experienced cytopathologist. All FNACs were carried out under ultrasound guidance. The cytological diagnosis was classified as benign, suspicious, malignant or unsatisfactory. The definitive histological study showed benign lesions in 195 of the 231 patients (84%). A benign diagnosis based on FNAC was correct in 105 of the 108 benign cases (97%). FNACs diagnosed as 'suspicious' resulted in a distribution of 49 benign (79%) and 13 malignant (21%) diagnoses. FNAC showed malignancy in 34 cases (13%) and in only one case did the final histology differ from cytology (correlation 97%). The percentage of FNACs that were inadequate for diagnosis was 20%. Review of cytological and histological slides did not lead to any change in the original diagnosis. Our study revealed a cytological-histological discrepancy (2%) in only 4 out of 231 cases over a period of 10 years, due to either a diagnostic or sampling error.     

Same-Day Fine-Needle Aspiration Cytology Diagnosis for Thyroid Nodules Achieves Rapid Anxiety Decrease and High Diagnostic Accuracy

Objective: The time between the moment of referral for the diagnostic workup for thyroid nodules and the outcome can be worrisome for patients. In general, patients experience high levels of anxiety during the evaluation of a lesion suspicious for cancer. Therefore, the implementation of same-day fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) diagnosis is becoming standard-of-care for many solid tumors. Our aim was to assess the feasibility of same-day FNAC diagnosis for thyroid nodules and to assess patient anxiety during the diagnostic process.Methods: For feasibility of same-day FNAC diagnosis, we assessed the proportion of patients receiving a diagnosis at the end of the visit. Accuracy was measured by comparing histology with the FNAC result. Patient anxiety was measured by the State Trait Anxiety Inventory at 6 moments during the diagnostic workup.Results: Of the 131 included patients, 112 (86%) were female, and the mean age was 53 years. All patients, except those with a nondiagnostic FNAC result (n = 26; 20%), had a diagnosis at the end of the day. There were only two discordant results. Anxiety levels at the beginning of the day were high throughout the group, State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) score 43.1 (SD 2.0) and decreased significantly more in patients with a benign FNAC result (STAI score 30.2), compared to patients with a malignant or indeterminate result (STAI score 39.6).Conclusion: Distress of patients with a thyroid nodule undergoing same-day FNAC diagnostics was high. Same-day FNAC diagnosis is feasible and accurate for the evaluation of thyroid nodules. Therefore, same-day FNAC diagnosis seems a safer, more patient-friendly approach to diagnose thyroid nodules.Abbreviations:AUS = atypia of undetermined significanceCWS = Cancer Worry ScaleFNAC = fine-needle aspiration cytologySTAI = State Trait Anxiety InventoryTSH = thyroid-stimulating hormone     

Ultrasonographically and stereotactically guided fine-needle aspiration cytology of non-palpable breast lesions: cyto-histological correlation

Objective:  To determine the diagnostic accuracy of ultrasonographically (US) and stereotactically guided fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) for the diagnosis of non-palpable breast lesions.
Patients and methods:  From January 2002 to December 2004, 470 women with 478 mammographically detected non-palpable breast lesions had US or stereotactically guided FNAC of the breast lesion. Subsequent histological evaluation of the same lesion was performed at the Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Slovenia. The correlation between the original cytological and histological diagnosis was assessed and the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value were calculated.
Results:  Among US-guided FNACs, 144 (53.5%) were histologically verified benign lesions and 125 (46.5%) were carcinomas. Cytological diagnoses were: true positive (TP) in 63 cases (50.4%), suspicious in 35 (28%), false negative (FN) in eight (6.4%), and in 19 (15.2%) cases, the material was inadequate for diagnosis. In the stereotactically guided FNAC group, there were 209 women with 209 lesions, with 95 (45%) histologically proven carcinomas and 114 (55%) benign lesions. Cytological diagnoses were TP in 49 (51.6%) cases, true suspicious in 21 (22.1%), FN in nine (9.5%), and in 16 (16.8%) cases, the material was not adequate for the diagnosis.
Conclusion:  The sensitivity of 88.7% and specificity of 98.6% for US-guided FNAC and 84.5% and 100% for stereotactically guided FNAC, respectively, suggest that clinicians can rely upon cytological diagnosis for planning further management of women with non-palpable breast lesions.     

Fine needle aspiration biopsy in the diagnosis of thyroid nodules

The fine needle aspiration (FNA) biopsies performed on thyroid nodules at Turku University Central Hospital from 1983 to 1988 were reviewed. Of the 1,054 total aspirated nodules, 194 were investigated histologically after thyroid surgery (191 cases) or at autopsy (3 cases). Two cases with an insufficient FNA sample, 4 with an incidental occult papillary carcinoma and 2 cases with carcinoma outside the nodule investigated by FNA biopsy were excluded from the series, leaving 186 histologically confirmed nodules in the final analysis. Three (3%) of the 107 cases with an FNA biopsy diagnosis of benign, 4 (8%) of the 52 with an FNA diagnosis of equivocal, 3 (20%) of the 15 with an FNA diagnosis of suspicious and all 12 (100%) with an FNA diagnosis of malignant were histologically malignant. If only an unequivocally malignant cytologic finding is considered positive, FNA biopsy had a diagnostic specificity of 100%, a sensitivity of 55% and an accuracy of 95% among the histologically confirmed cases. Follow-up revealed no cases of cancer among the 863 thyroids that were not explored surgically. It is concluded that FNA biopsy is a practical method with considerable diagnostic value in the evaluation of thyroid nodules.     

Fine needle aspiration cytology of the thyroid: a comparison of 5469 cytological and final histological diagnoses

OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the efficacy of fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) of the thyroid in a series of 5469 lesions with histological control and studied the causes of, and the possibility of reducing the limitations of the method. METHODS: FNAC was always performed by a pathologist under the guidance of a clinician, using a 22-gauge needle. Generally two aspirations were carried out, and usually four slides were obtained for each nodule; they were then stained with May-Grünwald-Giemsa and with Papanicolaou. The cytological diagnoses were classified in four groups: inadequate, benign, suspicious and malignant. RESULTS: We obtained a complete sensitivity of 93.4%, a positive predictive value of malignancy of 98.6%, and a specificity of 74.9%. At histological control, the cytological diagnosis of Hurthle cell neoplasm corresponded to a significantly higher incidence of malignant neoplasms than the diagnosis of non-Hurthle cell follicular neoplasm (32.1% versus 15.5%). There were 66 false-negative findings, the main cause of diagnostic error (24 cases) being failure to recognize the follicular variant of papillary carcinoma. The number of inadequate FNACs was low (4.2%). CONCLUSION: Our study confirmed the great efficacy of thyroid FNAC. A cytological diagnosis of Hurthle cell neoplasm should be considered an indicator of high risk. Awareness that failure to recognize the follicular variant of papillary carcinoma was the main problem in the interpretation of thyroid FNAC should lead to a decrease of false-negative diagnoses. The inadequate rate was very low, as it was the pathologist personally who performed the needle aspiration.     

Fine needle aspiration cytology of pseudosarcomatous reactive proliferative lesions of soft tissue

OBJECTIVE: To summarize the diagnostic features of fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) of pseudosarcomatous reactive proliferative lesions of soft tissue and to establish the criteria for differentiating these lesions from true sarcoma, thus allowing conservative management. STUDY DESIGN: FNA of 17 cases (13 nodular fasciitis, 2 proliferative fasciitis, 2 proliferative myositis), from 1994 to 2001, were reviewed in correlation with the clinical course or results of biopsy. RESULTS: The FNAC features of pseudosarcomatous reactive proliferative soft tissue lesions were characterized by a pleomorphic pattern of proliferative cells and the presence of ganglion cell-like cells. The proliferative cells varied widely from spindle shaped, with long cytoplasmic processes, to more plump cells, with round to oval nuclei. In spite of the large nuclei and prominent nucleoli in ganglion cell-like cells, the nuclei were cytologically benign, with thin and smooth nuclear membranes and fine chromatin. Clinically, all lesions appeared as small, superficially located, rapidly growing nodules with a short duration of symptoms. Ten cases of nodular fasciitis, one case of proliferative fasciitis and two cases of proliferative myositis had a spontaneous resolution in 1-12 weeks (mean, 4.7) following diagnosis by FNAC. All patients were well and devoid of any symptoms or signs of recurrence or metastasis in a follow-up period of 1-64 months after FNAC or biopsies. CONCLUSION: It is possible to differentiate pseudosarcomatous reactive proliferative soft tissue lesions from true sarcoma based on cytologic criteria in FNAC together with clinical correlation. All such lesions diagnosed by FNAC should be managed nonsurgically first, with follow-up. If regression does not occur within four to eight weeks, surgery should be performed.     

Fine needle aspiration cytology of ovarian lesions

OBJECTIVE: To assess the diagnostic value of fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) in ovarian lesions. STUDY DESIGN: Sixty-two fine needle aspirations of varied ovarian masses were performed between January 2000 and February 2003. Aspiration material was obtained from fresh tissues at the time of frozen section before dissection of the specimens. The slides were evaluated by a pathologist who was blinded to the gross findings and histopathologic diagnosis. RESULTS: A total of 62.9% of cases were assessed as malignant and 30.6% as benign. Two false positive and 2 false negative cases occurred. In our series the overall sensitivity and specificity were 95.1% and 90.4%, respectively. Seven benign and 15 malignant lesions could be subclassified specifically. CONCLUSION: We studied excised specimens, but since ovarian masses are reachable by laparoscopically and ultrasonographically guided aspiration, FNAC can be used for diagnoses of these lesions. If a multidisciplinary approach can be carried out in patients with ovarian lesions, cytopathologic interpretation can provide optimum benefits.