Search

* Context.--Definitive diagnosis of metastatic triple-negative breast carcinoma (TNBC) is challenging on cytologic samples. Recent studies demonstrated that trichorhinophalangeal syndrome type 1 (TRPS1) is a highly sensitive and specific marker for diagnosing breast carcinomas, including TNBC, on surgical specimens. Objective.--To evaluate TRPS1 expression in TNBCs on cytologic samples and a large series of nonbreast tumors on tissue microarray sections. Design.--Immunohistochemical (IHC) analysis of TRPS1 and GATA-binding protein 3 (GATA3) was performed on 35 TNBC cases on surgical specimens, and 29 consecutive TNBC cases on cytologic specimens. IHC analysis of TRPS1 expression was also performed on 1079 nonbreast tumors on tissue microarray sections. Results.--Of the surgical specimens, 35 of 35 TNBC cases (100%) were positive for TRPS1, all with diffuse positivity, whereas 27 of 35 (77%) were positive for GATA3, with diffuse positivity in 7 cases (26%). Of the cytologic samples, 27 of 29 TNBC cases (93%) were positive for TRPS1, with diffuse positivity in 20 cases (74%), whereas 12 of 29 (41 %) were positive for GATA3, with diffuse positivity in 2 cases (17%). Of the nonbreast malignant tumors, TRPS1 expression was seen in 9.4% (3 of 32) of melanomas, 10.7% (3 of 28) of small cell carcinomas of the bladder, and 9.7% (4 of 41) of ovarian serous carcinomas. Conclusions.--Our data confirm that TRPS1 is a highly sensitive and specific marker for diagnosing TNBC cases on surgical specimens as reported in the literature. In addition, these data demonstrate that TRPS1 is a much more sensitive marker than GATA3 in detecting metastatic TNBC cases on cytologic samples. Therefore, inclusion of TRPS1 in the diagnostic IHC panel is recommended when a metastatic TNBC is suspected. doi: 10.5858/arpa.2022-0411-OA, Breast cancer is the most common malignancy in female individuals, and 1 in every 8 women receive a diagnosis of breast cancer in her lifetime. (1) Each year there are [...]

* Context.--Workup of the poorly differentiated or undifferentiated tumor remains a significant and challenging entity in the practice of anatomic pathology. Particularly in the setting of small biopsies and limited material, these cases demand a balanced approach that considers the patient's clinical and radiologic presentation, a basic assessment of tumor morphology, a reasonably broad immunohistochemical panel, and diligent preservation of tissue for prognostic and therapeutic studies. Objective.--To illustrate some of the new and emerging immunohistochemical markers in the evaluation of tumors with undifferentiated or poorly differentiated morphology, with a focus on the workup in limited tissue samples to raise awareness of the issues involved with the pathologic workup in these challenging tumors. Data Sources.--A literature review of new ancillary studies that can be applied to cytologic specimens was performed. Conclusions.--Knowledge of the patient's history and communication with the patient's clinical team is essential in formulating a differential diagnosis that can appropriately limit the differential diagnosis based on morphology, especially in small specimens. This information, in conjunction with classifying the tumor morphology (eg, epithelioid, spindled, neuroendocrine, basaloid/biphasic, mixed) gives a logical approach to choosing an initial immunohistochemical panel. Fortunately, immunohistochemistry is evolving quickly in the wake of groundbreaking molecular studies to develop new and better markers to further classify these difficult tumors beyond where we traditionally have been able to go. (Arch Pathol Lab Med. 2023;147:1364-1373; doi: 10.5858/arpa.2022-0459-RA), Characterizing undifferentiated neoplasms has always been a challenge, especially in the setting of widespread metastatic disease without a clear primary site on clinical examination and radiologic imaging. Clinically, these neoplasms [...]

* Context.--Vaping is the inhalation of heated aerosol from a small battery-powered device as a method to deliver nicotine or other substances. A recent outbreak of severe respiratory illness primarily in the United States has put a spotlight on vaping and its potential risks. Objective.--To familiarize pathologists with vaping, the cytologic and histopathologic features of vaping-associated acute lung injury, and the role of pathology in this diagnosis. Data Sources.--A targeted literature review was performed. Conclusions.--Most cases of vaping-associated lung injury have been linked to vaping products containing tetrahydrocannabinol or other cannabinoids. Lung biopsies show a spectrum of nonspecific acute lung injury patterns (organizing pneumonia, diffuse alveolar damage, acute fibrinous, and organizing pneumonia, or combinations of the above), accompanied by prominent, foamy macrophage accumulation. Injury is usually accentuated around small airways. Lipid-laden macrophages can be identified in bronchioloalveolar lavage fluid in most patients and these can be highlighted using lipid stains, such as oil red O, but the clinical utility of this finding remains unclear, as lipid-laden macrophages can be seen in a wide variety of processes and should not be relied upon to make the diagnosis. Classic histologic features of exogenous lipoid pneumonia have not been identified in tissue samples. Lightly pigmented macrophages, similar to those seen with traditional cigarette smoking, are present in some cases but are usually a minor feature. To date, no specific pathologic features for vaping-related injury have been identified, and it remains a diagnosis of exclusion that requires clinic-pathologic correlation. doi: 10.5858/arpa.2020-0024-RA, WHAT IS VAPING? A PRIMER ON DEVICES, CONTENTS, AND TERMINOLOGY 'Vaping' is the inhalation of an aerosol (vapor) generated by heating a liquid in a small batterypowered device. (1-3) This [...]

With the increased availability of three‐dimensional (3D) printers, innovative teaching and training materials have been created in medical fields. For pathology, the use of 3D printing has been largely limited to anatomic representations of disease processes or the development of supplies during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. Herein, an institution's 3D printing laboratory and staff with expertise in additive manufacturing illustrate how this can address design issues in cytopathology specimen collection and processing. The authors' institutional 3D printing laboratory, along with students and trainees, used computer‐aided design and 3D printers to iterate on design, create prototypes, and generate final usable materials using additive manufacturing. The program Microsoft Forms was used to solicit qualitative and quantitative feedback. The 3D‐printed models were created to assist with cytopreparation, rapid on‐site evaluation, and storage of materials in the preanalytical phase of processing. These parts provided better organization of materials for cytology specimen collection and staining, in addition to optimizing storage of specimens with multiple sized containers to optimize patient safety. The apparatus also allowed liquids to be stabilized in transport and removed faster at the time of rapid on‐site evaluation. Rectangular boxes were also created to optimally organize all components of a specimen in cytopreparation to simplify and expedite the processes of accessioning and processing, which can minimize errors. These practical applications of 3D printing in the cytopathology laboratory demonstrate the utility of the design and printing process on improving aspects of the workflow in cytopathology laboratories to maximize efficiency, organization, and patient safety. Novel and innovative ways to solve problems in the cytopathology laboratory are now possible with the increased access and decreased cost of three‐dimensional (3D) printers. In this report, an institution shares how expertise in 3D design and access to a 3D printing laboratory can help to create customized materials to address design issues in cytopathology specimen collection and processing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

* Context.--Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) has emerged as a very useful tool in the field of diagnostic respiratory cytology. Rapid on-site evaluation (ROSE) of EBUS-TBNA not only has the potential to improve diagnostic yield of the procedure but also to triage samples for predictive molecular testing to guide personalized treatments for lung cancer.Objective.--To provide an overview of the current status of the literature regarding ROSE of EBUS-TBNA in the diagnosis of lung cancer.Data Sources.--An electronic literature search in PubMed and Google databases was performed using the following key words: cytology, lung cancer, on-site evaluation, rapid on-site evaluation, and ROSE EBUSTBNA. Only articles published in English were included in this review.Conclusions.--Rapid on-site evaluation can ensure that the targeted lesion is being sampled and can enable appropriate specimen triage. If available, it should be used with EBUS-TBNA in the diagnosis of lung cancer because it can minimize repeat procedures for additional desired testing (ie, molecular studies). Some studies have shown that ROSE does not adversely affect the number of aspirations, total procedure time of EBUS-TBNA, or the rate of postprocedure complications; it is also helpful in providing a preliminary diagnosis that can reduce the number of additional invasive procedures, such as mediastinoscopy. As EBUS technology continues to evolve, our knowledge of the role of ROSE in EBUS-TBNA for the diagnosis of lung cancer will also continue to grow and evolve.(Arch Pathol Lab Med. 2018;142:253-262; doi: 10.5858/arpa.2017-0114-SA), Endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) has emerged as an alternative minimally invasive method for surgical mediastinal staging of lung cancer. (1,2) It allows real-time EBUS-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUSTBNA) of mediastinal and [...]

Objective: To assess the validity of the American College of Radiology Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System (ACR TI‐RADS) for evaluating thyroid nodules in children. Methods: Patients aged <19 years with thyroid nodule(s) evaluated by ultrasound (US) from 2007–2018 at a tertiary children's hospital were included. Two radiologists scored de‐identified thyroid US images using ACR TI‐RADS (from 1, "benign" to 5, "highly suspicious"). The radiologists recorded size and rated vascularity for each nodule. Ultrasound findings were compared to pathology results (operative cases, n = 91) and clinical follow‐up without disease progression (non‐operative cases, n = 15). Results: Thyroid images from 115 patients were reviewed. Nine patients were excluded due to the absence of an evaluable nodule. Forty‐seven benign and 59 malignant nodules were included. Median age at ultrasound was 15 years (range 0.9–18 years). Twenty (18.9%) patients were male. There was moderate agreement between TI‐RADS levels assigned by the two raters (kappa = 0.57, p < 0.001). When the raters' levels were averaged, >3 as the threshold for malignancy correctly categorized the greatest percentage of nodules (68.9%). Eleven (18.6%) malignant nodules received a TI‐RADS level of 2 (n = 3) or 3 (n = 8). Sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values were 81.4%, 53.2%, 68.6%, and 69.4%, respectively. Although not part of TI‐RADS, vascularity was similar between benign and malignant nodules (p = 0.56). Conclusion: In a pediatric population, TI‐RADS can help distinguish between benign and malignant nodules with comparable sensitivity and specificity to adults. However, the positive and negative predictive values suggest TI‐RADS alone cannot eliminate the need for FNA. Level of Evidence: 3 Laryngoscope, 133:2394–2401, 2023 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]