Needle Washout Fluids Research Articles

Fine needle aspiration biopsy of parathyroid; is it meaningful? A cytologic study of 81 cases with histological and clinical correlations.

Recognizing the parathyroid gland and distinguishing the parathyroid from thyroid lesions in fine needle aspiration (FNA) is challenging. This study aimed to identify cytomorphologic features suggestive of parathyroid origin and to assess the utility of cytopathology in conjunction with ancillary tests in the identification of parathyroid glands. Ultrasound (US) guided FNA of parathyroid gland and lesions in 81 patients were reviewed concerning clinical history and correlated to histopathologic findings in available cases. FNA smears were evaluated for cellularity, architectural patterns, cellular and nuclear features, and background of the smears. In 78 cases, FNA was supplemented by a measurement of parathormone (PTH) levels in the needle washout fluid (FNA-PTH assay) and/or GATA3/PTH/chromogranin-A immunostainings. Sixty-four cases were diagnosed cytologically as parathyroid lesions in conjunction with FNA-PTH assay and/or immunocytochemical examinations. In an additional nine cases, a diagnosis of parathyroid lesions was rendered after repeated FNA with FNA-PTH assay. The histolopathologic diagnosis of surgically excised cases (n = 75) included parathyroid adenoma (60 cases), atypical parathyroid adenoma (4 cases), parathyroid hyperplasia (10 cases), and parathyroid carcinoma (1 case). Major cytological findings of parathyroid tissue included high cellularity, scattered naked nuclei, cribriform and three-dimensional clusters, stippled chromatin, and oxyphilic cytoplasm while papillary pattern or colloid-like material was identified in three cases respectively. No nuclear grooves or inclusions were seen in any case. High cellularity scattered naked nuclei, cribriform and three-dimensional patterns, stippled chromatin and oxyphilic cytoplasm are cytomorphologic features that favour parathyroid origin. A combination of these features with FNA-PTH assay and/or GATA3, PTH, and chromogranin-A immunostainings on cytologic specimens aid in the identification of parathyroid glands and the distinguishing of parathyroid from thyroid lesions.

Measurement of calcitonin and cea in the needle washout fluid from thyroid nodule for the diagnosis of medullary thyroid carcinoma

Background. medullary thyroid carcinoma (mtc) produces serum markers including calcitonin (ct) and carcinoembryonic antigen (cea). The measurement of ct in fine-needle aspirate washout fluid (FNA-CT) improves the cytological diagnosis of mtc. However, no data are available about cut-off values for FNA-CT using currently immunoassay. The measurement of cea in the needle washout fluid (FNa-cea) in mtc has not been studied.Objective: to assess the diagnostic value and propose cut-off values for FNA-CT and FNacea in the thyroid nodule to diagnose mtc.Material and Methods. We conducted a retrospective analysis of 164 samples of fine-needle aspirate washout fluid collected from 92 patients with thyroid nodules, who underwent FNa followed by cytological examination and measurement of FNA-CT. seventeen cases with mtc and 41 with non-mtc nodules were histologically verified. one hundred and six nodules identified as non-mtc by cytology were not operated on. FNa-cea was additionally studied in 29 samples. The cut-off value was determined by Roc analysis.Results. The FNA-CT level was >2000 pg/ml in all mtc nodules, except for one, in which the FNA-CT level was 638 pg/ml. In non-mtc nodules, the FNA-CT levels were <10 pg/ml and <100 pg/ml in 81 % and 90 %, respectively, however, it was >500 pg/ml in 5 %, and >1000 pg/ml in 2 %. At a cut-off value of 590 pg/ml, the sensitivity and specificity of FNA-CT were 100 % and 96 %, and at a cut-off of 1721 pg/ml, the corresponding values were 94 % and 99 %. The false positive FNA-CT values were 3.7 % and 1.2 % at the cut-off values of 590 pg/ml and 1721 pg/ml, respectively. The median levels of FNa-cea in mtc and non-mtc nodules were 59.3 ng/ml and 1.5 ng/ml, respectively. At a cut-off value of 7.5 ng/ml, the sensitivity of FNa-cea was 86 % and specificity was 100 %. Additional measurement of FNa-cea prevented all false-positive results of FNA-CT, but did not detect 2 mtcs with low FNa-cea levels (false-negative rate of 6.9 %). Among samples with FNA-CT value of >590 pg/ml and negative cytology (n=9), FNa-cea differentiated mtc with 100 % sensitivity and specificity.Conclusion. The maximum sensitivity of FNA-CT in the thyroid nodule was at a cut-off value of 590 pg/ml (100 %), the maximum specificity was at a cut-off value of 1721 pg/ml (99 %). Risk of false positive result is the major challenge of FNA-CT. to reduce false-positive results, we recommend to measure FNa-cea in the nodules with negative cytology and high level of FNA-CT. At a cut-off value of 7.5 ng/ml, FNa-cea allows the false-positive FNA-CT to be excluded.

An old friend, a new insight: Calcitonin measurement in serum and aspiration needle washout fluids significantly increases the early and accurate detection of medullary thyroid cancer.

The sensitivity of cytological (CY) evaluation after fine-needle aspiration (FNA) for detecting medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) is a subject of controversy. The routine use of serum calcitonin (CT) in patients with thyroid nodules is not universally adopted. The authors conducted CT screening of FNA washout fluid (FNA-CT) to address the diagnostic challenges. The objective was to assess the contributions of serum CT, FNA cytology (FNA-CY), and FNA-CT to the diagnosis. Between February 2019 and June 2022 (group 1), the authors prospectively screened the CT of patients with thyroid nodules. Both FNA-CY and FNA-CT were performed for patients with persistently elevated CT values. The sensitivity of FNA-CY, serum CT, and FNA-CT for accurate diagnosis was evaluated. Additionally, the authors retrospectively examined data from patients with thyroid nodules before CT screening (2008-2019) (group 2). They compared the characteristics of MTC patients in groups 1 and 2. MTC was identified in 30 patients (0.25%) in group 1 and 19 (0.07%) in group 2. A FNA-CT cutoff value of 4085.5pg/mL detected MTC with a sensitivity of 96.8%, and a serum CT cutoff value of 28.3pg/mL detected MTC with a sensitivity of 86.7%. In contrast, FNA-CY detected MTC with a sensitivity of 42.4%. In group 1, 18 patients (60%) with MTC were diagnosed with microcarcinoma, whereas only two patients (10.5%) in group 2 had microcarcinoma. This study detected MTC earlier by routinely measuring serum CT in all patients with nodular thyroid disease and performing FNA-CT in those with elevated values. FNA-CT and serum CT sensitivities were significantly higher than those of FNA-CY. This study revealed different FNA-CT cutoff values compared to other studies, emphasizing the need for determining clinic-specific cutoff values.

Diagnostic Efficacy of FNA-Tg in DTC Cervical LN Metastasis and its Impact Factors: A Large Retrospective Study.

Thyroglobulin in needle washout fluid (FNA-Tg) has the advantage of compensating for the low sensitivity of cytological analysis (FNAC) in differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) lymph node (LN) metastasis. However, studies of large data sets to support this view and identify the best cutoff of FNA-Tg are lacking. Our study aimed to determine the best cutoff of FNA-Tg and explore the impact factors of FNA-Tg. A total of 1106 suspicious LNs from patients treated at West China Hospital from October 2019 to August 2021 were included. Parameters were compared between metastatic and benign LNs, and the best cutoff value of FNA-Tg was identified by ROC curves. The impact factors of FNA-Tg were analyzed. In the nonsurgery group, after correcting for the effect of age and short diameter of LN, FNA-Tg was the independent risk factor for cervical LN metastasis of DTC (odds ratio [OR]: 1.048; 95% CI, 1.032-1.065). In the surgery group, after correcting for the effects of serum thyrotropin, serum Tg, long diameter of LN, and short diameter of LN, FNA-Tg was the independent risk factor for cervical LN metastasis of DTC (OR: 1.019; 95% CI, 1.006-1.033). The best cutoff value of FNA-Tg was 25.17 μg/L, and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy were 0.944, 0.847, 0.978, 0.982, 0.819, and 0.902, respectively. FNA-Tg highly correlated with FNA-TgAb (P < .01; Spearman correlation coefficient = 0.559), but FNA-TgAb positivity did not undermine the diagnostic efficacy of FNA-Tg for DTC LN metastasis. The best cutoff value of FNA-Tg was 25.17 μg/L in diagnosing DTC cervical LN metastasis. FNA-Tg highly correlated with FNA-TgAb, but FNA-TgAb had no influence on the diagnostic efficacy of FNA-Tg.

Calcitonin Measurement in Needle Washout Fluid After Fine Needle Aspiration As a Complementary Diagnostic Test in Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma

Searchable abstracts of presentations at key conferences in endocrinology ISSN 1470-3947 (print) | ISSN 1479-6848 (online)

Breast metastasis from medullary thyroid carcinoma: a report of a case

BackgroundMetastasis to the breast is rare. We herein report a patient with metastatic medullary thyroid carcinoma to the breast for whom measuring the calcitonin level was an important clue to the correct diagnosis.Case presentationA 54-year-old woman visited our hospital for the treatment of recurrent metastatic medullary thyroid carcinoma due to multiple endocrine neoplasia 2A and breast cancer. Positron emission tomography performed before the operation for metastatic medullary thyroid carcinoma recurrence in the neck showed the accumulation of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose in the bilateral breast at sites other than the disease in the neck. Ultrasonography revealed multiple tumors in both breasts. A core needle biopsy of three breast tumors was performed. Microscopically, the tumor cells showed solid growth and did not show a tubular structure. She was diagnosed with triple-negative invasive ductal carcinoma. Post-operative positron emission tomography was performed as the serum calcitonin level increased after the operation. The accumulation of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose in the bilateral breast tumors and lymph nodes in the neck was noted. The possibility of the breast tumors being metastasis of metastatic medullary thyroid carcinoma was considered. Needle aspiration was performed for three breast tumors. The calcitonin level of the washout fluid was measured and found to be ≥ 17,500 pg/mL. Immunohistochemistry showed that the tumor cells were calcitonin-positive and gross cystic disease fluid protein-15-negative. Vandetanib was started as recurrent metastatic medullary thyroid carcinoma with breast metastasis was finally diagnosed. The serum calcitonin level decreased after 1 month.ConclusionAlthough breast metastasis of medullary thyroid carcinoma is rare, a correct diagnosis is indispensable for appropriate treatment. When a breast tumor shows atypical morphological features for breast cancer according to the histopathology in a patient with a history of cancer, metastasis to the breast should be considered. Calcitonin measurement of the needle washout fluid was useful for confirming metastatic medullary thyroid carcinoma.

Fine-needle aspiration of parathyroid adenomas: Indications as a diagnostic approach.

BackgroundWe aimed to determine the indication of fine‐needle aspiration (FNA) for parathyroid adenoma (PA)‐suspected nodules and the cytological features of PA, and to discuss the ancillary techniques for diagnostic confirmation.MethodClinical, cytological, and histological examinations of 15 PA patients (4.0% of all PA resected patients) were conducted through FNA on 16 nodules. We also examined the cytological preparations of 10 follicular neoplasms (FNs) and 10 poorly differentiated thyroid carcinomas (PDTCs).ResultsFNA was performed to detect PA in nine (56.3%) nodules. The remaining seven (43.8%) nodules underwent FNA for lesions considered as thyroid nodules or lymph nodes. The levels of parathyroid hormone (PTH) in the aspiration needle washout fluid were observably high, except for that from one nodule with unsatisfactory FNA. Cytologically, the incidences of wedge pattern (86.7%) and salt and pepper chromatin (86.7%) in PAs were significantly higher than in FNs and PDTCs. In contrast, the appearance of colloid globules and nuclear grooves was less frequent than that of FNs and PDTCs. GATA‐3 expression was intense in all PAs that immunocytochemistry were performed. Histologically, capsular invasion and/or laceration, tumor seeding, granulation tissue, and fibrosis were observed.ConclusionsWhen PA localization is unusual or inconclusive despite extensive imaging, FNA may be performed. We asserted that wedge pattern, salt and pepper chromatin, and the absence of colloid globules and nuclear grooves are diagnostic cytological indicators of PA rather than of FN or PDTC. We recommend PTH measurements using needle washout fluid for PA‐suspected nodules, and immunocytochemistry with the GATA‐3 antibody for cytologically PA‐suspected nodules.

Thyroglobulin measurements in fine-needle aspiration cytology of lymph nodes for the detection of metastatic differentiated thyroid carcinoma

Ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration biopsy (US-FNAB) is a routinely used technique in the examination of suspicious lymph nodes in patients treated for differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC). The measurement of thyroglobulin levels in needle washout fluids (FNAB-Tg) has been reported to increase the diagnostic accuracy of FNAB. US-FNAB and FNAB-Tg measurements of suspected lymph nodes were performed in 116 patients who underwent surgery because of DTC. Results of FNAB and corresponding FNAB-Tg values were compared to the histology of removed lymph nodes and to clinical follow-up. All patients with positive cytology (n = 23) and two with elevated FNAB-Tg and negative cytology underwent surgery. Two patients with elevated FNAB-Tg and negative cytology were treated with J131 and one patient was not treated but only observed. In five patients with positive cytology, FNAB-Tg levels were not elevated. Three of these patients presented with cervical lymphadenopathy shortly after thyroidectomy and two had metastases from other malignancies.US-FNAB is not sensitive enough to detect all metastatic lymph nodes. FNAB-Tg measurement increases diagnostic accuracy of the US-FNAB of suspicious neck lymph nodes in the follow-up of patients with DTC, and is particularly useful in detecting small and cystic metastases and in cases of indeterminate cytology.

Calcitonin measurement in aspiration needle washout fluids has higher sensitivity than cytology in detecting medullary thyroid cancer: a retrospective multicentre study

Only few studies analysed the capability of cytology in detecting medullary thyroid cancer (MTC), and they reported a low accuracy of this diagnostic technique. Recently, calcitonin (CT) measurement in aspiration needle washout (FNA-CT) of thyroid and neck lesions has been reported as a sensitive tool for MTC. The aim of this study is to compare the sensitivity of FNA-CT and cytology in detecting MTC and to assess a cut-off value of FNA-CT for clinical practice. Thirty-eight MTC lesions from 36 patients were retrospectively studied, diagnosed and treated in four different centres. Furthermore, 52 nonmedullary lesions from subjects undergone biopsy following increased serum CT were collected as a control group. Cytology detected MTC in 21/37 lesions with 56·8% sensitivity. The median FNA-CT value was 2000 pg/ml (range 58-10 000 pg/ml) in MTC and 2·7 pg/ml (range <2-13 pg/ml) in controls (P < 0·001). Using a cut-off of 39·6 pg/ml, MTC lesions could be identified with 100% sensitivity and specificity. As the most important finding, 14 histologically proved MTC lesions could be detected by FNA-CT, despite they were cytologically diagnosed as benign or nonconclusive. This study shows, as the first in a multicentre series, that FNA-CT sensitivity is higher than that of cytology in diagnosing MTC. To avoid false-negative MTC by cytology, CT measurement in aspiration needle washout is to be performed in all patients undergoing biopsy following high serum CT.

Diagnostic value of thyroglobulin assay in cervical lymph node fine-needle aspirations for metastatic differentiated thyroid cancer

Differentiated thyroid cancers (DTCs) have generally an indolent behavior. However, in a minority of these patients cervical metastasis at diagnosis or recurrence during follow-up may occur. Then, in suspicious neck lymph nodes fine-needle aspiration (FNA) is warranted. Thyroglobulin measurement in needle washout fluids (FNA-Tg) since its first description has been reported to increase the diagnostic accuracy of cytology in neck lymph nodes suspicious for metastatic DTC. Recent literature suggests that FNA-Tg can substitute conventional cytology and, in turn, simplifies clinical management of DTC patients. However, because of the large difference between these clinical studies, the data are sparse. Thus, neither procedures nor assay method for FNA-Tg have been standardized. FNA-Tg measurement is the more accurate tool to detect neck recurrences and metastases from DTC. Providing strict standardization of preanalytical and analytical phase, FNA-Tg may suffice to confirm or exclude neck DTC recurrence in patients with concurrent well differentiated papillary cancer type, suspicious neck ultrasound findings and increased serum thyroglobulin after thyroidectomy. On the contrary, FNA-Tg accuracy increases by adding cytological examination when FNA is performed before thyroidectomy, in patients with more aggressive histological types, and if low-undetectable serum thyroglobulin and/or positive serum antithyroglobulin antibodies occur.

Serum Antithyroglobulin Antibodies Interfere with Thyroglobulin Detection in Fine-Needle Aspirates of Metastatic Neck Nodes in Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma

It is recommended to measure thyroglobulin (Tg) levels in the needle washout fluids from fine-needle aspirations (FNAs) in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) who have ultrasonographically suspicious metastatic lymph nodes (LNs). However, it is not clear whether serum anti-Tg antibodies (TgAbs) interfere with the detection of Tg in needle washout fluids from FNAs (FNA-Tg). The objective of the study was to evaluate the influence of serum TgAbs on FNA-Tg detection. This retrospective observational cohort study enrolled 207 patients with conventional PTC in whom FNA-Tg values had been measured. All patients initially underwent total thyroidectomy and remnant ablation. FNA-Tg levels were measured from ultrasonographically suspicious metastatic LNs of 0.5 cm or greater in the longest diameter. From 207 patients, 263 LNs were evaluated. Final histopathology was available for 92 LNs, of which 88 (96%) were malignant. FNA-Tg levels were lower in the LNs from serum TgAb-positive patients than in those from TgAb-negative patients (P < 0.001). In four of 13 metastatic LNs from TgAb-positive patients, the FNA-Tg levels were below 10 μg/liter including one in which both FNA-Tg and serum-stimulated Tg levels were below 1 μg/liter and stained positively for Tg in pathology. There was also one malignant LN with negative for FNA-Tg, serum-stimulated Tg, and serum TgAb but that nonetheless stained intensely for Tg. However, there were no malignant LNs with both negative cytology and negative FNA-Tg. A diagnosis based on FNA-Tg had a lower sensitivity and negative predictive value in the TgAb-positive group than in the TgAb-negative group. FNA-Tg measurement is highly reliable in the diagnosis of neck metastases in PTC patients, even in cases of negative-stimulated Tg or positive TgAb. However, high-serum TgAb levels could interfere with FNA-Tg measurements and thereby result in falsely low FNA-Tg levels.

Measurement of human epidermal growth factor receptor type-2 extracellular domain and cancer antigen 15–3 levels in needle washout fluid: a potential adjunct to the cytological diagnosis of breast cancer

To determine whether the measurement of biomarkers in the needle washout fluid after fine needle aspiration cytology could strengthen cytological diagnosis, 29 benign lesions, 26 ductal carcinomas in situ (DCIS), and 95 invasive carcinomas of the breast were analyzed. Immediately after the aspiration samples were expelled onto glass slides, the needle was rinsed out with 2ml of saline. Human epidermal growth factor receptor two extracellular domain (HER2-ECD) and cancer antigen 15-3 (CA 15-3) in the washout fluid were measured using chemiluminescence. The measuring limit for HER2-ECD (0.5ng/ml) and that for CA 15-3 (4U/ml) were used as the cutoff values, respectively. The proportion of patients with positive HER2-ECD values was 6.9% in cases of benign lesions, 26.9% in DCIS, and 10.5% in invasive carcinomas. The proportion of patients with positive CA 15-3 values was 6.9% in cases of benign lesions, 42.3% in DCIS, and 10.5% in invasive carcinomas. The proportion of patients with any biomarker elevation was 6.9% in cases of benign lesions, 46.2% in DCIS, and 15.8% in invasive carcinomas. Thus, biomarker elevation was most frequent in cases of DCIS, followed by invasive carcinomas (P < 0.01). HER2-ECD values over 6ng/ml or CA 15-3 values over 25U/ml were seen exclusively in cases of DCIS or invasive ductal carcinomas with an extensive intraductal component. If the biomarker status is included, 5 of 12 cases of DCIS with equivocal cytology categories would be upgraded. Further clinicopathological validation is necessary before applying this new approach to the clinical setting.

Thyroglobulin measurement on fine‐needle washout fluids: Influence of sample collection methods

Thyroglobulin (Tg) measurement on fine-needle aspiration (FNA) specimens (Tg-FNA) is useful in the management of patients affected by differentiated thyroid carcinoma. However, the preanalytical procedure for FNA-Tg measurement is not standardized. We evaluated the accuracy of FNA-Tg measurement by using different tubes for needle washout fluids collection.Ultrasound-guided FNA was performed on a combined 156 lesions from 108 patients. Following cytology sampling, the needles were rinsed by normal saline and aliquots collected into three different tubes (plain serum tube, serum separator tube, and lithium-heparin tube, respectively). The Tg-FNA was measured by an immunoradiometric assay.The cytological examination was nondiagnostic in six cases, false-positive in one, and false-negative in two cases. The Tg-FNA was higher in plain serum tubes as compared with serum separator and lithium-heparin ones. FNA-Tg measurement on plain serum and serum separator tubes showed a 100% sensitivity while two false-negative results occurred by lithium-heparin tubes (sensitivity 98%).The diagnostic performance of FNA-Tg compared favorably with cytology. However, biases in FNA-Tg measurement may be introduced by different collection tubes. A collection of standardized washout fluids volume into plain serum tubes is highly recommended. Serum separator tubes and lithium-heparin tubes may lower measured FNA-Tg concentration.