FNAC and Cell-block Study of Thyroid Lesions

Abstract

Aim of the study: To highlight the importance of cell-block study in combination with FNAC in the diagnosis of different thyroid lesions. Patients and methods: This study was a retrospective study of 85 Egyptian patients with thyroid swellings, coming to cytopathology unit, faculty of medicine, Zagazig U:niversity. FNAC and cell-blocks were performed for each case. Cytological results of FNAC were compared to the cell-block histopathological picture. Results: FNAC findings were diagnosed as follows: 52 (61%) as colloid goiter, 5 (5.8%) as Hashimoto thyroiditis, 2 (2.3%) as branchial cleft cyst, 1.0 (1.1%) thyroglossal cyst, 5 (5.8%) follicular neoplasm without atypia, 2 (2.3%) as follicular neoplasm with atypia, 2 (2.3%) as suspicious of malignancy, 10 (11.7%) papillary thyroid carcinoma, and 1.0 (1.1%) thyroid carcinoma of undefined category. Insufficient cases were 5 in number. The sensitivity of FNAC in comparison with histopathological results of cell-blocks was 91.6% and specificity was 97.2%. Conclusion: It is advised to perform cell-block for each case of FNAC of thyroid lesions to decrease the pitfalls and to improve the diagnosis and management of thyroid lesions.