Both SOX11 and TFE3 were overexpressed in SPNs and may be involved in the pathogenesis. Clinically, SOX11 and TFE3 can be potentially used as diagnostic markers in distinguishing indeterminate SPNs from their histologic mimickers.
- In our experience, 50% of the indeterminate nodules were classified as suspicious by Afirma, with a 35% rate of malignancy in these nodules at surgical resection, in comparison with a historical rate of malignancy at our institution of 11% for Bethesda III nodules and 23% for Bethesda IV. Our use of Afirma is consistent with prior reports in that it has a low positive predictive value in indeterminate thyroid nodules.
Objectives
Use of fine-needle aspiration/needle core biopsy (FNA/CNB) in evaluating hematolymphoid processes has been debated. We investigate its applicability in various clinicopathologic settings.
Methods
We retrospectively analyzed 152 cases of FNA/CNB.
Results
Of 152 FNA/CNBs, 124 (81.6%) resulted in diagnoses without excisional biopsies, while 28 required subsequent excisional biopsies. Of these, 43 FNA/CNBs performed for suspected lymphoma relapse demonstrated 95.4% diagnostic rate (41/43), which was significantly better than those without history of lymphoma (77/109, 71%; odds ratio [OR], 8.5; confidence interval, 1.9-37.4). Patients with immunodeficiency also showed a high rate of diagnosis by FNA/CNB (100%). When stratified by types of disease, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma/high-grade B-cell lymphoma demonstrated a higher success rate (92.7%) than small B-cell lymphoma (79.2%), though the difference was not statistically significant (OR, 3.3; P value = .07). A subsequent excisional biopsy was required in 28 cases, 23 of which resulted in diagnoses concordant with the FNA/CNB. Five cases showed diagnostic discordance, reflecting pitfalls of FNA/CNB in unusual cases with complex pathology.
Conclusions
FNA/CNB is practical in evaluating most hematolymphoid lesions, with high efficacy in recurrent disease and some primary neoplasms with homogeneous/ aggressive histology, or characteristic immunophenotype.
BACKGROUND: Solid pseudopapillary neoplasm (SPN) is an uncommon tumor that is challenging to diagnose on cytology due to morphologic overlap with other pancreatic neoplasms. Recently, putative diagnostic markers for SPN have been reported in the surgical pathology literature, with nuclear positivity for lymphoid enhancer-binding factor 1 (LEF1) and androgen receptor (AR) identified in >90% and >80% of cases, respectively. In the current study, the authors sought to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of LEF1 and AR on SPN cytology specimens and available corresponding surgical resection specimens. METHODS: Immunohistochemistry was performed using monoclonal antibodies against LEF1 and AR on 19 SPN cytology cases and 15 corresponding follow-up surgical resection specimens from 2 institutions. To evaluate specificity, the authors stained 23 non-SPN tumors diagnosed on cytology with corresponding surgical specimens (4 acinar cell carcinomas, 9 pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors, and 10 ductal adenocarcinomas). Positivity for LEF1 and AR was defined as any nuclear staining within neoplastic nuclei. RESULTS: LEF1 was found to be positive in 18 of 19 cytology cases (94.7%) and 15 of 15 corresponding surgical resection specimens (100%). AR was positive in 4 of 16 cytology cases (25.0%) and 4 of 15 corresponding surgical resection specimens (26.7%). Among non-SPN tumors, LEF1 demonstrated a specificity of 87% whereas the specificity for AR was 100%. CONCLUSIONS: LEF1 for SPN on cytology material was found to demonstrate a sensitivity of 94.7% and a specificity of 87%. Although AR was found to have a specificity of 100%, its sensitivity was lower (25%). LEF1 could be a valuable immunostain on cytology cell block material for the diagnosis of SPN. However, the same may not hold true for AR.
A 16-year-old girl presented to the emergency department with intermittent fevers and worsening abdominal pain of 5 weeks duration. She had a history of travel to a less developed country and exposure to possible infectious diseases. Abdominal imaging and blood tests revealed diffuse mesenteric lymphadenopathy, elevated transaminases, and elevation of inflammatory markers. Gastroesophageal and colon endoscopies revealed gastric ulcers, and the patient was discharged with a presumptive diagnosis of systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis given the lymphadenopathy seen on imaging, serositis, sacroiliac joint stiffness noted on physical examination, and pain relief with celecoxib. She presented again 4 days later with worsening abdominal tenderness, elevated transaminases, and new-onset abdominal distention. Tissue biopsy yielded the diagnosis and directed appropriate treatment.
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