BRAFV600E mutation analysis in fine-needle aspiration cytology specimens for diagnosis of thyroid nodules: The influence of false-positive and false-negative results

Abstract

Background: The accurate evaluation of BRAFV600E mutation in preoperative fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) specimens is important for making management decisions in thyroid nodules (TNs). The aim of this study was to assess the false-positive and false-negative BRAFV600E mutations in thyroid FNAC specimens and their influence on diagnosis of TN. Methods: This prospective study enrolled 292 nodules in 269 patients who underwent BRAFV600E mutation analysis using amplification refractory mutation system-quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (ARMS-qPCR) both in FNAC specimens and formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue samples after surgery. The false-positive and false-negative mutations for BRAFV600E analysis using ARMS-qPCR in FNAC specimens were recorded, with reference to the results of BRAFV600E mutation analysis using ARMS-qPCR in FFPE tissue sample. Diagnostic performances of FNAC, BRAFV600E mutation analysis in FNAC specimens, BRAFV600E mutation analysis in FFPE tissue sample, and the combination of FNAC and BRAFV600E mutation analysis for predicting thyroid malignancy were assessed. Results: The false-positive and false-negative mutations for BRAFV600E analysis using ARMS-qPCR in FNAC specimens were 10.1% (19/189) and 7.1% (7/98), respectively. FNAC combined with preoperative BRAFV600E mutation analysis significantly increased the diagnostic sensitivity from 75.7% to 92.3%, and accuracy from 78.7% to 90.6% in comparison with FNAC alone (both P.05). Conclusions: FNAC combined with preoperative BRAFV600E mutation analysis can significantly increase the diagnostic performance in comparison with FNAC alone. False-positive and false-negative BRAFV600E mutation results are found in preoperative FNAC specimens, whereas it does not affect the overall auxiliary diagnosis of TNs.