1
|
Mezei T, Kolcsár M, Pașcanu I, Vielh P. False positive cases in thyroid cytopathology - the experience of a single laboratory and a systematic review. Cytopathology 2021; 32:493-504. [PMID: 33914381 DOI: 10.1111/cyt.12984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2020] [Revised: 02/08/2021] [Accepted: 03/31/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Fine needle aspiration (FNA) is fundamental in the pre-operative assessment of thyroid nodules. However, the shining success of thyroid FNA is occasionally eclipsed by false positive (FP) cytological diagnoses. We describe our experience regarding FP cytological diagnoses and present a literature review concerning FP rates. MATERIALS AND METHODS We retrospectively analyzed 2031 consecutive cytology reports. FP was defined as a case with "suspicious for malignancy" or "malignant" cytology, whose surgical follow-up failed to confirm the initial diagnosis of malignancy. We used the PubMed database for the literature review using specific search terms ("thyroid", "cytology", "false positive"). RESULTS Out of 2031 FNA reports, 93 cases with "suspicious for malignancy" or "malignant" cytology underwent surgical excision. Histopathology did not confirm malignancy in 10 cases (0.6% FP rate). Nodules with FP cytology were significantly larger (P = 0.0024) than those with with TP (true positive) cytology. A review of 25 publications shows comparable results to ours with some slight differences. The majority of studies achieve a FP rate below 3%. Most FP cytological diagnoses turn out to be non-neoplastic lesions (nodular hyperplasia, adenomatous nodule, lymphocytic thyroiditis), which combined account for 80.5% of all histological diagnoses. CONCLUSIONS Thyroid nodules with FP cytology were larger than nodules with TP cytology. Most studies manage to adhere to the recommended FP rates, or values close to them, with some outliers. Nevertheless, the mean FP rate values are very close to the value recommended by The Bethesda System for Reporting Thyroid Cytopathology (TBSRTC). The FP rate value depends on how one defines true negative cases, which can be either histologically proven benign cases, via a benign clinical course, or by assuming that cytologically benign cases remain as such.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tibor Mezei
- Department of Pathology, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science, and Technology of Targu Mures, Targu Mures, Romania
| | - Melinda Kolcsár
- Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science, and Technology of Targu Mures, Targu Mures, Romania
| | - Ionela Pașcanu
- Department of Endocrinology, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science, and Technology of Targu Mures, Targu Mures, Romania
| | | |
Collapse
|
2
|
Sakthisankari S, Vidhyalakshmi S, Shanthakumari S, Devanand B, Nagul U. The combination of ACR-Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data system and The Bethesda System for Reporting Thyroid Cytopathology in the evaluation of thyroid nodules-An institutional experience. Cytopathology 2021; 32:472-481. [PMID: 33606346 DOI: 10.1111/cyt.12967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2020] [Revised: 01/31/2021] [Accepted: 02/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Bethesda System for Reporting Thyroid Cytopathology (TBSRTC) is widely utilised by cytopathologists. The American College of Radiology (ACR) has also proposed a thyroid imaging reporting and data system (TIRADS) to classify thyroid nodules and guide their selection for fine needle aspiration (FNA). The current study aimed to analyse the usefulness of TBSRTC in thyroid cytology reporting, to examine its histological correlation with TIRADS, and to compare the management of lesions in each cytological category in our institute to the TBSRTC recommendations. MATERIALS AND METHODS A retrospective study was performed on all thyroid FNAs from a 2-year period at a tertiary care centre. Histological correlations of TBSRTC and ACR TIRADS were examined for cases with surgical follow-up, and the risk of malignancy in each TBSRTC category, and sensitivity and specificity of FNA and TIRADS, were calculated. RESULTS A total of 337 thyroid FNAs were examined, with histological follow-up in 99 cases. Risk of malignancy in categories I-VI was 9.5%, 2.3%, 0.0, 8%, 87.5% and 100.0%, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of FNA were 60.0%, 99.0%, 85.7%, and 97.5%, respectively, while those values for thyroid ultrasound were 90.3%, 72.2%, 92.9% and 65%, respectively. CONCLUSION The study substantiates the usefulness of TBSRTC in arriving at a more precise diagnosis. Hurthle cell lesions with atypia were the common cause of misdiagnosis. The combination of TIRADS and TBSRTC aids in better stratification of thyroid nodules and in decision making for management of lesions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Balalakshmoji Devanand
- Department of Radiology, PSG Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Coimbatore, India
| | - Udayasankar Nagul
- Department of Radiology, PSG Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Coimbatore, India
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Evaluation of Thyroid Fine-Needle Aspiration Biopsies according to Cytological Methods and Comparison with Histopathological Diagnosis. MEDICAL BULLETIN OF SISLI ETFAL HOSPITAL 2021; 55:93-100. [PMID: 33935542 PMCID: PMC8085446 DOI: 10.14744/semb.2020.94752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2020] [Accepted: 11/04/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Objectives: In this study, we aim to compare the results of aspiration of thyroid nodules evaluated according to the Bethesda category (BC) with tissue diagnoses in the operation materials and to compare the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy rates according to cytology methods. Methods: The previous fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) of thyroid nodules of 879 cases diagnosed histopathologically between 2010 and 2017 was examined. The FNAB results determined according to the Bethesda system were matched with tissue diagnoses, sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy rates were investigated according to cytology methods. Results: Sensitivity, specificity, Positive predictive value (PPV), Negative predictive value (NPV) and accuracy rates were found in all FNAB results (in units of %; Sensitivity; 84.7, Specificity; 81.1, PPV; 74.1, NPV; 89.2, Accuracy; 82.5). All of the cytological evaluation methods of thyroid FNABs were found to be reliable and effective (Generally, the results are 80% and above). Specificity and accuracy rates were close to the general average (82.5%) in all methods. However, in cases evaluated with liquid base cytology (LBC) method and in addition to LBC or conventional smear (CS), the sensitivity rates in cases where cell block (CB) were evaluated together were higher than cases in which LBC and CS were used alone (92.6% and 91.0%). When examined statistically, there was no significant difference concerning sensitivity, specificity and accuracy rates of cytological methods (p>0.05, respectively, p=0.576, 0.065, 0.643). Conclusion: In cytopathology, when evaluating thyroid aspirations, it is seen that the LBC method is used instead of CS. In our study, we recommend the use of the LBC method, which seems to have the highest sensitivity (taking into account its technical advantages), instead of CS. However, we think that both CS and LBC methods should be evaluated by supporting them with cell block sections.
Collapse
|
4
|
Huhtamella R, Kholová I. Thyroid Bethesda Category AUS/FLUS in Our Microscopes: Three-Year-Experience and Cyto-Histological Correlation. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11111670. [PMID: 31661800 PMCID: PMC6895794 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11111670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2019] [Revised: 10/24/2019] [Accepted: 10/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The Bethesda System for Reporting Thyroid Cytopathology (TBSRTC) introduced a new category: Atypia of Undetermined Significance/Follicular Lesion of Undetermined Significance (AUS/FLUS) comprising of heterogenous lesions with a lesser degree of atypia. Its routine use is a bit controversial. The study cohort included AUS/FLUS thyroid cytopathological diagnoses signed out at Fimlab Laboratories from the period of 1 October 2013 to 31 December 2016. We analyzed all the AUS/FLUS cases, their cytology subclassification, and their cyto-histological correlation, when available. In total, there were 331 AUS/FLUS cases from 252 patients. The mean age was 59.8 years and there were 196 females and 56 males. Repeated AUS/FLUS was diagnosed in 75 (29.8%) cases. Out of 252 patients, 118 (46.8%) were operated on. Sixty-eight were operated on after the first AUS/FLUS diagnosis, 46 after 2 AUS/FLUS diagnoses, and 4 after 3 AUS/FLUS diagnoses. In total, there were 37 (14.7%) malignancies and 40 benign tumors. The risk of malignancy for AUS/FLUS (14.7%) is in agreement with the original TBSRTC risk of malignancy. The risk of neoplasia was 30.6% in our series.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Roope Huhtamella
- Department of Pathology, Fimlab Laboratories, 33520 Tampere, Finland.
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, 33520 Tampere, Finland.
| | - Ivana Kholová
- Department of Pathology, Fimlab Laboratories, 33520 Tampere, Finland.
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, 33520 Tampere, Finland.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Roy S, Prabhu AJ, Abraham DT, Mazhuvanchary Jacob P, Manipadam MT. An Insight into the Utility of Sub-Categorisation of Atypia of Undetermined Significance for Risk Stratification: A Retrospective Study on an Indian Cohort with Histopathological Correlation. Acta Cytol 2019; 63:182-188. [PMID: 30889578 DOI: 10.1159/000496600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2018] [Accepted: 01/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Atypia of undetermined significance or follicular lesion of undetermined significance (AUS/FLUS) criterion in thyroid fine-needle aspirates (FNAs) has been a heterogeneous entity with much inter-observer variation. Sub-categorisation of AUS/FLUS has been observed to play an effective role in risk stratification. We aimed to validate AUS/FLUS sub-categorisation in correlation with the spectrum of malignancy. STUDY DESIGN Subjects included patients with AUS/FLUS diagnosed between January 2015 and December 2016. AUS/FLUS cases were sub-categorised into those exhibiting (1) architectural atypia, (2) cytological atypia, (3) architectural and cytological atypia, (4) AUS with Hürthle cells, and (5) AUS not otherwise specified (AUS-NOS). Each sub-category was correlated with their corresponding incidence of malignancy in surgical resections. RESULT The overall incidence of AUS/FLUS in our centre was 13% (132/1,018). On retrospective review of 117 patients with AUS/FLUS, smears with cytological atypia showed a higher incidence of malignancy (78.3%) than those with architectural atypia (75.3%). AUS/FLUS cases with both cytological and architectural atypia had a malignancy rate of 71.4%. CONCLUSION AUS/FLUS cases with cytological atypia had a higher risk of malignancy than those with architectural atypia. The sub-categorisation of AUS/FLUS is diagnostically important for the proper risk stratification of patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sanjeet Roy
- Department of Pathology, Christian Medical College, Vellore, India
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
6
|
Giusti M, Massa B, Balestra M, Calamaro P, Gay S, Schiaffino S, Turtulici G, Zupo S, Monti E, Ansaldo G. Retrospective cytological evaluation of indeterminate thyroid nodules according to the British Thyroid Association 2014 classification and comparison of clinical evaluation and outcomes. J Zhejiang Univ Sci B 2018; 18:555-566. [PMID: 28681580 DOI: 10.1631/jzus.b1600075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
The cytology of 130 indeterminate nodules (Thy 3) was retrospectively reviewed according to the British Thyroid Association 2014 classification. Nodules were divided into Thy 3a (atypical features) and Thy 3f (follicular lesion) categories. Histology was available as a reference for 97 nodules. Pre-surgical evaluations comprised biochemical tests, color-Doppler ultrasonography (US), semi-quantitative elastography-US (USE), contrast-enhanced US (CEUS), and mutation analysis from cytological slides. Thyroid malignancy was the final diagnosis for 19% of surgically-treated nodules. No statistically significant difference in the risk of malignancy was found between Thy 3a (26%) and Thy 3f (14%) nodules. Histology of the Thy 3a and Thy 3f nodules showed a higher incidence of Hurtle cell adenomas in Thy 3f (29%) than in Thy 3a (3%) nodules (P=0.01). The only pre-surgical difference concerned the BRAF V600E mutation, which was positive in some Thy 3a but not in any Thy 3f nodules (P=0.04). Receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was used to obtain cut-off values from US (score), USE (ELX 2/1 strain index), and CEUS (time-to-peak index and peak index) data. The cut-off values were similar for Thy 3a and Thy 3f nodules. Data showed that malignancy can be suspected if the US score is >2, ELX 1/2 strain index >1, time-to-peak index >1, and peak index <1. In a sub-group of 24 revised nodules (12 Thy 3a and 12 Thy 3f) with histology as a reference, the diagnostic power of cumulative pre-surgical analysis by means of US, USE, and CEUS showed high positive and negative predictive values (83% and 100%, respectively) for the presence of malignancy in Thy 3a and Thy 3f nodules. In conclusion, in our series of revised Thy 3 nodules, malignancy was low and displayed no significant differences between Thy 3a and Thy 3f categories. The use of cut-offs based on histology as a reference could reduce surgery. Our data support the conviction that, in mutation-negative Thy 3a and Thy 3f nodules, observation should be the first choice when not all instrumental results are suspect.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Massimo Giusti
- Endocrinology Unit, San Martino University Hospital, I-16100 Genoa, Italy
| | - Barbara Massa
- Cytopathology and Pathology Unit, San Martino University Hospital, I-16100 Genoa, Italy
| | | | - Paola Calamaro
- Cytopathology and Pathology Unit, San Martino University Hospital, I-16100 Genoa, Italy
| | - Stefano Gay
- Endocrinology Unit, San Martino University Hospital, I-16100 Genoa, Italy
| | | | | | - Simonetta Zupo
- Molecular Diagnostic Unit, San Martino University Hospital, I-16100 Genoa, Italy
| | - Eleonora Monti
- Endocrinology Unit, San Martino University Hospital, I-16100 Genoa, Italy
| | - Gianluca Ansaldo
- Endocrinology Surgery Unit, San Martino University Hospital, I-16100 Genoa, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Alshaikh S, Harb Z, Aljufairi E, Almahari SA. Classification of thyroid fine-needle aspiration cytology into Bethesda categories: An institutional experience and review of the literature. Cytojournal 2018. [PMID: 29531571 PMCID: PMC5841007 DOI: 10.4103/cytojournal.cytojournal_32_17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) of thyroid is the initial screening test for thyroid nodules. The Bethesda system classifies thyroid FNAC into six categories. Each category is linked to a malignancy risk and has a recommended clinical management. The aim of this study is to analyze the thyroid cytology smears by Bethesda system and to correlate the diagnosis of cytopathology with histopathology, whenever surgery was done. Materials and Methods: This study presents our experience with the Bethesda system in 681 thyroid FNAs from 632 patients in the period between January 2013 and December 2016. Results: Categories were as follows: 10.1% were Category I (nondiagnostic), 68.8% Category II (benign), 12.4% were Category III (atypia of undetermined significance), 2.9% were Category IV (suspicious for follicular neoplasm), 2.6% were Category V (suspicious for malignancy), and 4.1% were Category VI (malignant). Surgery was done on 126 nodules from 119 patients with an overall rate of malignancy of 27.8% (35/126 nodules). Conclusion: The Bethesda System for Reporting Thyroid Cytopathology proved to be an excellent reporting system.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Safa Alshaikh
- Address: Department of Pathology, Salmanyia Medical Complex, Manama, Bahrain
| | - Zainab Harb
- Address: Department of Pathology, Salmanyia Medical Complex, Manama, Bahrain
| | - Eman Aljufairi
- Address: Department of Pathology, Salmanyia Medical Complex, Manama, Bahrain
| | - S Ali Almahari
- Address: Department of Pathology, Salmanyia Medical Complex, Manama, Bahrain
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Al-Abbadi MA, Shareef SQ, Yousef MM, Almasri NM, Mustafa HE, Aljawad H, Ali JA, Groves A, Alsaihati Y. A follow-up study on thyroid aspirates reported as atypia of undetermined significance/follicular lesion of undetermined significance and follicular neoplasm/suspicious for follicular neoplasm: A multicenter study from the Arabian Gulf region. Diagn Cytopathol 2017; 45:983-988. [DOI: 10.1002/dc.23805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2017] [Revised: 08/14/2017] [Accepted: 08/16/2017] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Huda E. Mustafa
- Sheikh Khalifa Medical City; Abu Dhabi United Arab Emirates
- Department of Pathology; Sheikh Khalifa Medical City; Abu Dhabi United Arab Emirates
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Internal Medicine; Sheikh Khalifa Medical City; Abu Dhabi United Arab Emirates
| | | | | | - Alan Groves
- Sheikh Khalifa Medical City; Abu Dhabi United Arab Emirates
| | | |
Collapse
|