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Value of cytopathologist review of ultrasound examinations in non‐diagnostic/unsatisfactory thyroid FNA
Author(s) -
Poller David N.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
diagnostic cytopathology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.417
H-Index - 65
eISSN - 1097-0339
pISSN - 8755-1039
DOI - 10.1002/dc.23822
Subject(s) - medicine , thyroid nodules , cyst , thyroid , cytology , radiology , fine needle aspiration , pathology , biopsy
Background Correlation of cytologic and ultrasound findings is extremely valuable for the cytopathologist in management of thyroid nodules. Methods Ultrasound scans (US) of all thyroid FNA taken over a 13 month period and reported by a single cytologist were reviewed at the time of reporting, focusing on aspirates that were non‐diagnostic/unsatisfactory, equivalent to Bethesda Class I, UK Royal College of Pathologists Class Thy1 or Thy1c. Results FNA cases [68 (40.7%)] were classified as Thy1, equivalent to Bethesda Class I. US of 3 Thy1 cases were not available for review. On cytologist US review 9 cases were classified as pure cystic , 28 as mixed cystic/solid , 12 as predominantly solid/focally cystic and 16 as purely solid . 27 (41.5%) of cases on cytological assessment were Thy1 and showed no evidence of a cyst on US, 17 (26.1%) were Thy1/Thy1c showing features suggestive of a possible cyst and 21 (32.3%) were Thy1c showing definite features of a cyst. Fifteen of 16 (93.7%) of pure solid cases on US were Thy1, equivalent to Bethesda Class I and all 9 (100%) of cases that were pure cystic on US were reported as Thy1c—equivalent to Bethesda Category I— cyst fluid only ( P < .001). Conclusion Cytopathologist review of thyroid US is extremely useful and can be helpful in triaging patients for further management in cases of solid, mixed cystic and/or solid, and pure cystic thyroid lesions with non‐diagnostic/unsatisfactory thyroid FNA.