Degenerative atypia in benign thyroid nodules: a potential diagnostic pitfall on fine-needle aspiration.

TitleDegenerative atypia in benign thyroid nodules: a potential diagnostic pitfall on fine-needle aspiration.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2023
AuthorsLam H, Saoud C, Shi Q, Wong KS, Cibas ES, Rooper LM, Baloch Z, Ali SZ
JournalJ Am Soc Cytopathol
Volume12
Issue5
Pagination341-350
Date Published2023 Sep-Oct
ISSN2213-2945
KeywordsAdenocarcinoma, Follicular, Biopsy, Fine-Needle, Humans, Retrospective Studies, Thyroid Neoplasms, Thyroid Nodule
Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Benign (B) follicular lesions of the thyroid are among the most encountered specimens on fine needle aspiration (FNA). Although FNA and The Bethesda System for Reporting Thyroid Cytopathology (TBSRTC) remain highly accurate, minimally invasive and robust tools in triaging thyroid nodules, false positive (FP) diagnoses may still occur. Endocrine-type degenerative atypia can cause diagnoses of suspicious for malignancy (SFM) or malignant (M), resulting in overtreatment and exposure to undue surgical risk in patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a multi-institutional retrospective clinicopathologic correlation of benign thyroid nodules with degenerative atypia on FNA. Review of cytologic material was conducted to identify potential cytomorphologic features which may have prompted these diagnoses.

RESULTS: Among 342 patients with benign thyroid nodules harboring degenerative atypia, 123 had available preceding FNA cytopathology. TBSRTC nondiagnostic, B, atypia of undetermined significance, follicular neoplasm, SFM, and M, comprised 3.3%, 49.6%, 30.1%, 13.0%, 2.4%, and 1.6% of cases. Among patients with FP diagnoses (SFM and M), 100% underwent total thyroidectomy, and 40.0% underwent additional neck lymph node dissections. Among remaining patients, 61.0%, 39.0%, and 0% underwent lobectomy, thyroidectomy, and lymph node dissection. The number of patients who underwent total thyroidectomy was significantly different (P = 0.03) between those with FP nodules and those without.

CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrate that 4.1% of nodules harboring endocrine-type degenerative atypia may be given FP diagnoses on initial FNA. Such atypia may be indistinguishable from that of Graves' Disease, dyshormonogenic goiter, and radiation therapy. FP diagnoses of degenerative atypia can expose patients to undue surgical procedures and risks.

DOI10.1016/j.jasc.2023.04.006
Alternate JournalJ Am Soc Cytopathol
PubMed ID37230891
Related Faculty: 
Hansen Lam, M.D.

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