Immunocytochemistry with cytokeratin 19 and anti-human mesothelial cell antibody (HBME1) increases the diagnostic accuracy of thyroid fine-needle aspirations: preliminary report of 150 liquid-based fine-needle aspirations with histological control.

Background: Thyroid nodules are relatively common (7% of the population) but are malignant in only 5%-10% of cases. Fine-needle aspiration (FNA) to detect cancer can have > 90% sensitivity but only 50%-65% specificity because of false-positive results, which necessitates surgical controls. We aimed to assess the diagnostic accuracy of immunocytochemistry (ICC) of thyroid FNA to improve its sensitivity and specificity.

[Update on thyroid immunocytochemistry and its value for managing patients with thyroid nodules].

Fine needle aspiration cytopathology is currently the best approach for evaluating thyroid nodules. Follicular lesions represent a morphological limit which may be overcome using immunocytochemistry. We report here a series of known markers useful in cytology and helping the cytopathologist in distinguishing benign from malignant follicular neoplasms of the thyroid.