Cytomorphologic Evaluation of the Thin Prep for Fine Needle Aspiration of the Fresh Thyroidectomy Specimens

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to compare cytomorphology of ThinPrep Papanicolaou (TP PAP) method with the macroscopic-microscopic findings of the nodules on fresh thyroidectomy specimens.Study Design: A total of 75 thyroid surgical specimens were included in our study. Fine Needle Aspiration Biopsy (FNAB) of specimens was performed by a pathologist. Aspirate was taken into TP liquid and stained with PAP. We defined cytological findings, compatible with macroscopic-microscopic findings. Results:In cytologic evaluation 108 nodules were diagnosed benign, while 18 nodules were malignant and 2 cystic nodules were insufficient. Cytological diagnosis was compatible with histologically benign a total of 110 nodules, and 18 malignant nodules. Nuclear groove/irregular nuclear membrane, nuclear overlap/crowding, nuclear enlargement, nuclear pseudoinclusion, pale/fine chromatin are determined as statistically significant cytological parameters in malignant cases. Conclusion:FNAB and the histo-morphological and TP PAP cytological slides were evaluated by pathologists at every stage of biopsy process. It is clearly understood how important it is to obtain adequate cells from the benign or malignant thyroid nodules with this method. Although controversial opinions among the cytopathologists regarding the association using TP method are present, in this study we revealed that TP method is easy to use for FNAB.