Liquid-Based Cytology in Fine-Needle Aspirates of the Thyroid and Breast

Abstract

Department of Pathology, CHA Gangnam Medical Center, CHA University, Seoul, Korea Liquid-based cytology (LBC) is becoming more widely used in analyzing the fine-needle aspi-rates (FNAs) from various organs, including the thyroid and breast. Compared to the conven-tional smear, LBC can achieve more consistent cellularity and evenly distributed mono-lay-ered cell preparations and it can diminish the obscuring background, thus lower the rate of‘unsatisfactory’ specimens. The cytomorphological details are better preserved with LBC, andit also provides the opportunity to perform ancillary tests such as immunocytochemical or molec-ular studies. It requires less time and manpower for screening, too. Yet there are drawbacksfor the liquid-based technique. The cell clusters tend to be more fragmented and they oftenlose their typical structural characteristics that may have helped in making a diagnosis. Someuseful background material such as colloid and mucin is diminished. However, LBC still retainsmany of the cytological features of a conventional smear and possesses unique characteris-tics as well. Here, some of the typical cytological findings of the liquid-based technique forFNA of the thyroid and breast are reviewed. Experience and awareness of the cytomorpho-logical characteristics of liquid-based technique in non-gynecological aspirates is crucial forcorrect interpretation.