Identification of parathyroid tissue in thyroid fine-needle aspiration: A combined approach using cytology, immunohistochemical, and molecular methods.

Objectives: Parathyroid (PT) lesions can be difficult to recognize in thyroid fine needle aspirations (FNAs), and when not identified correctly, PT cells may be mistaken for potentially abnormal thyroid cells. We therefore studied the utility of combining cytology, immunohistochemistry, and a molecular classifier to identify PT cells in thyroid FNAs.

Methods: Thyroid FNAs were received in CytoLyt, and were evaluated initially using The Bethesda System for Reporting Thyroid Cytology (TBSRTC).

Thyroid lobectomy for indeterminate FNA: not without consequences.

Background: Thyroid nodules are exceedingly common, and the cytologic interpretation of fine needle aspiration (FNA) findings has been the reference standard for diagnosing nodules as benign, atypia or a follicular lesion of undetermined significance, suspicious for follicular or Hürthle cell neoplasm, suspicious for malignancy, or malignant. Many patients undergo thyroid lobectomy for indeterminate FNA findings (atypia or a follicular lesion of undetermined significance or suspicious for follicular or Hürthle cell neoplasm), although the risk of malignancy is low. The general data have quoted a 20% risk of hypothyroidism after lobectomy.