Search

Purpose: Malignancy prediction in indeterminate thyroid nodules is still challenging. We prospectively evaluated whether the combination of ultrasound (US) risk stratification and molecular testing improves the assessment of malignancy risk in Bethesda Category IV thyroid nodules., Methods: Ninety-one consecutively diagnosed Bethesda Category IV thyroid nodules were prospectively evaluated before surgery by both ACR- and EU-TIRADS US risk-stratification systems and by a further US-guided fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) for the following molecular testing: BRAFV600E, N-RAS codons 12/13, N-RAS codon 61, H-RAS codons 12/13, H-RAS codon 61, K-RAS codons 12/13, and K-RAS codon 61 point-mutations, as well as PAX8/PPARγ, RET/PC1, and RET/PTC 3 rearrangements., Results: At histology, 37% of nodules were malignant. No significant association was found between malignancy and either EU- or ACR-TIRADS. In total, 58 somatic mutations were identified, including 3 BRAFV600E (5%), 5 N-RAS 12/13 (9%), 13 N-RAS 61 (22%), 7 H-RAS 12/13 (12%), 11 H-RAS 61 (19%), 6 K-RAS 12/13 (10%), 8 K-RAS 61 (14%) mutations and 2 RET/PTC1 (4%), 0 RET/PTC 3 (0%), 3 PAX8/PPARγ (5%) rearrangements. At least one somatic mutation was found in 28% and 44% of benign and malignant nodules, respectively, although malignancy was not statistically associated with the outcome of the mutational test. However, the combination of ACR-, but not EU-, TIRADS with the presence of at least one somatic mutation, was significantly associated with malignant histology (P = 0.03)., Conclusion: US risk stratification and FNAC molecular testing may synergistically contribute to improve malignancy risk estimate of Bethesda category IV thyroid nodules., (© 2021. The Author(s).)

Purpose: Evidence of an increased diagnostic pressure on thyroid has emerged over the past decades. This study aimed to provide estimates of a wide spectrum of surveillance indicators for thyroid dysfunctions and diseases in Italy., Methods: A population-based study was conducted in North-eastern Italy, including 11.7 million residents (20% of the total Italian population). Prescriptions for TSH testing, neck ultrasound or thyroid fine needle aspiration (FNA), surgical procedures, and drugs for hypo- or hyperthyroidism were extracted from regional health databases. Proportions and rates of selected examinations were calculated from 2010 to 2017, overall and by sex, calendar years, age, and region., Results: Between 2010 and 2017 in North-eastern Italy, 24.5% of women and 9.8% of men received at least one TSH test yearly. In 2017, 7.1% of women and 1.5% of men were prescribed drugs for thyroid dysfunction, 94.6% of whom for hypothyroidism. Neck ultrasound examinations were performed yearly in 6.9% of women and 4.6% of men, with a nearly two-fold variation between areas. Thyroid FNA and thyroidectomies were three-fold more frequent in women (394 and 85 per 100,000) than in men (128 and 29 per 100,000) with a marked variation between areas. Both procedures decreased consistently after 2013., Conclusions: The results of this population-based study describe recent variations over time and between surrounding areas of indicators of 'diagnostic pressure' on thyroid in North-eastern Italy. These results emphasize the need to harmonize practices and to reduce some procedures (e.g., neck ultrasound and total thyroidectomies) in certain areas., (© 2021. The Author(s).)

Purpose: The clinical impact of the SIAPEC/SIE 2014 classification for thyroid cytology has been addressed in few studies that evaluated the malignancy rate and the relative prevalence of each category. No study analyzed its intra-observer and inter-observer reproducibility, so far., Methods: We retrospectively collected all "indeterminate" lesions diagnosed before (2011-2014) and after (2015-2018) the application of the SIAPEC/SIE 2014 classification at our Institution. Their relative malignancy risks were calculated based on available histological diagnoses. Cytological and clinical features of TIR3A were compared with the surgical outcome. Finally, a large set of samples was re-evaluated in blind of the original cytological and histological diagnoses by two pathologists, independently., Results: The prevalence of "indeterminate" diagnoses increased in years 2015-2018 (302/1482, 21% with 14% of TIR3A and 7% TIR3B categories) compared to years 2011-2014 (261/1680, 16%). Surgery was performed in 27% TIR3A and in 97% TIR3B cases. Malignancy rates were 40% for TIR3B and 17% for TIR3A, but were greatly influenced by the adoption of the WHO 2017 re-classification of encapsulated follicular-patterned lesions (decreasing to 28% and 6%, respectively). No criteria except for tumor size were associated to malignancy in TIR3A category. Intra-observer agreement of the experienced pathologist was 122/141 (86%), whereas inter-observer agreement between the expert and in-training pathologist was 95/141 (67%)., Conclusions: In this real-life experience, the sub-classification of TIR3A and TIR3B slightly increased the overall prevalence of "indeterminate" diagnoses. Malignancy rates were higher than estimated for both TIR3A and TIR3B categories. Agreement among observers highly depended on pathologist's training.

Classification schemes for reporting thyroid cytology of fine needle aspiration (FNA) of thyroid nodules are largely used in clinical practice, but the level of inter-observer agreement among cytopathologists is poorly acknowledged. The present study aimed to explore the inter-observer agreement among the experienced authors of the 2014 Italian Consensus for Classification and Reporting of Thyroid Cytology (ICCRTC). A stratified randomization was performed in order to obtain a sample homogeneously distributed and representative of all ICCRTC classes. Four high-experience raters were randomly selected among the extensors of the Italian consensus. They independently reviewed 60 FNA samples blindly of the initial cytological report and clinical features. Their overall agreement was evaluated according to Fleiss' kappa. The overall inter-observer agreement was moderate (κ 0.46). Specifically, a good agreement was found when the samples were consistent for malignancy (TIR5) or were not adequate for diagnosis (TIR1) (κ 0.67 and κ 0.73, respectively). A moderate agreement was present for suspicious-for-malignant category (TIR4), and a fair agreement was recorded in the two intermediate ones (TIR3A and TIR3B) (κ 0.36 and κ 0.35, respectively). For clinical purposes, the agreement was good (κ 0.74) in differentiating cases with surgical indication (TIR4/TIR5) from those in which surgery is not essential or requires limited extension (TIR3B/TIR3A/TIR2). In conclusion, the present study confirms the reliability of ICCRTC. These data represent a reference for cytopathologists using this system and are useful for the practice of clinicians and surgeons.

Background: Lymph node metastases represent the most important negative prognostic predictor in vulvar carcinoma. Therefore, an accurate preoperative assessment of suspicious lymph nodes would be fundamental for a personalized therapy. The aim of this article was to assess the reliability of ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) in the preoperative assessment of nodal metastatic disease in 43 patients with vulvar cancer., Methods: In total, 43 FNAC specimens of clinicoradiologically suspicious lymph nodes with corresponding nodal resection specimens were collected from 2016 to 2018 at Catholic University Hospital in Rome. Cytohistologic correlation was performed. Patients were treated with wide local excision of the vulvar mass followed by bilateral inguinofemoral lymphadenectomy and radiotherapy if the tumor involved a lymph node or the vulvar margins., Results: Cytologic examination agreed with histology in 37 of 43 cases (86.04%). The authors observed a positive FNAC result in 14 of 20 histologically confirmed metastatic lymph nodes, 6 false-negative cases, and no false-positive results. The sensitivity and specificity of cytological examination were 76.92% and 100%, respectively. All patients with FNAC-positive results showed metastatic disease in other surgically resected inguinofemoral nodes. Eleven of 29 patients (37.9%) with FNAC-negative results also showed metastatic disease in subsequent lymphadenectomy specimens, but the extent of metastases was always <1 cm (range, 0.1-0.6 cm)., Conclusions: FNAC of suspicious lymph nodes represents a useful tool in the management of patients with vulvar cancer. A positive result enables the surgeon to immediately perform a bilateral inguinofemoral lymphadenectomy thus avoiding an unnecessary sentinel lymph node sampling. Finally, FNAC can also predict the presence and extent of metastatic disease in other surgically resected inguinofemoral lymph nodes., (© 2019 American Cancer Society.)

Endobronchial Ultrasound guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) is usually performed under general anesthesia or deep sedation with drugs such as Propofol that, at least in Italy, can be administered only by an anesthesiologist. Aim of the study was to assess conscious sedation feasibility, safety and tolerability using Meperidine and Midazolam as administered by Pulmonologist and relevant impact on the efficiency of the sampling procedures.All patients undergoing EBUS-TBNA from February 2013 to July 2014 were examined retrospectively. Efficiency using Meperidine and Midazolam during EBUS-TBNA has been assessed: completion of lymph-nodal sampling, sampling adequacy, diagnostic yield, cough during endoscopic procedure complications and need for procedure repetition with Anesthesiology assistance. Patient satisfaction and cost/effectiveness were also evaluated. One hundred and thirty-four consecutive patients were considered; 97.7% completed the procedure. In 96.9% of cases the prefixed program of lymph-nodal sampling was accomplished. Sampling adequacy was 92,4%. Diagnostic yield was 55%. In 94.7% of cases cough was absent or did not interfere with EBUS-TBNA. The need to repeat the endoscopic procedure occurred in 6 cases but only in 2 the presence of an Anesthesiologist was required. Patient satisfaction was very high, with 95.9% of subjects reporting they would "definitely return". A 27% cost reduction was calculated. EBUS-TBNA under conscious sedation using Meperidine and Midazolam prescribed and administered by pulmonologist without the Anesthesiologist assistance, revealed to be a safe, well tolerated and cost saving procedure. The efficiency of sampling was good, apart from a relatively low diagnostic yield due to different expertise of operators.

Objectives: To evaluate outcomes in different malignancies involving the thyroid and infiltrating the airway submitted to tracheal (TRA) or crico-tracheal resection and anastomosis (CTRA)., Methods: Retrospective charts review of 27 patients affected by thyroid malignancies involving the airway treated by TRA/CTRA in a single academic institution. Kaplan-Meier curves were used to evaluate the overall (OS) and disease-specific (DSS) survivals and local (LC) and loco-regional control (LRC). Impact on survival of age, comorbidities, previous radiotherapy, types of TRA/CTRA, Shin's stage (II, III, IV), grading (well vs poorly differentiated), and length of airway resected was calculated by the log-rank test., Results: Overall survival and DSS at 3 and 5 years were 82.3% and 71.6%, respectively. Local control and LRC in the entire group were 82.3% at 3 and 5 years. Crico-tracheal resection and anastomosis involving the cricoid arch and plate (type C) and tumor differentiation significantly affected OS and DSS (both P < .001). Type C CTRA and tumor differentiation significantly impacted on LC (P = .002 and P = .009, respectively)., Conclusions: Grading and extension of CTRA to the cricoid plate are the most important factors for oncologic outcomes in thyroid malignancies infiltrating the airway. Except for poorly differentiated tumors, TRA/CTRA allows adequate LC even in advanced stage lesions involving the crico-tracheal junction., (© The Author(s) 2015.)

Unlabelled: Fine-needle aspiration (22G) is the diagnostic procedure chosen to study the nature of suspicious thyroid nodules. In 2008 the SIAPEC-IAP work group issued the results of Italian Consensus about the clinical management of patients with thyroid nodular disease, and introduced diagnostic categories aimed to standardize the diagnostic and therapeutic process of patients affected by thyroid nodules. This retrospective study is aimed to assess the incidence of carcinoma at definitive histological examination after total thyroidectomy of nodules with TIR3 cytological diagnosis., Key Words: CEUS, FNAC, Surgery, Thyroid nodules.

Aim: Evaluation of the importance of the on-site presence of a skilled cytopathologist during endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration at determining samples' adequacy and performing ancillary techniques which can be helpful for the diagnosis., Methods: A retrospective analysis of our institute's experience with EUS-FNA sampling is presented. From January 2001 to May 2007, 404 patients underwent the EUS-FNA evaluation. From 2003 a cytopathologist was present during the procedure and started making an extemporary evaluation of the samples' adequacy., Results: Before 2003, a final cytological diagnosis was available in only 70% of the cases (without an on-site cytopathologist). After 2003, in 90% of the cases (with an on-site cytopathologist). It is possible planning and performing: immunocytochemistry on cell block material including evaluation of the proliferation index; to obtain a sample for the flow cytometry in cases of lymphomas or a microbiologic workup in cases of infective lesions., Conclusion: The quality of the specimens and the proper handling of the aspirated sample are very important to succesfully obtain a definitive cytological diagnosis in EUS-FNA. On-site evaluation and triage of the material allow to improve the accuracy of the diagnosis.

Background: Splenic metastases are very rare and are mostly diagnosed at the terminal phase of the disease or at the time of autopsy. The cytohistological diagnosis, when done, is made prevalently by splenectomy. Reports on splenic percutaneous biopsies in the diagnosis of splenic metastasis are fragmentary and very poor. The aims of this study are to analyse retrospectively the accuracy, safety and the clinical impact of ultrasound (US)-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy (UG-FNAB) in patients with suspected splenic metastasis., Methods: A retrospective analysis of 1800 percutaneous abdominal biopsies performed at our institute during the period from 1993 to 2003 was done and 160 patients that underwent splenic biopsy were found. Among these 160 patients, 12 cases with the final diagnosis of solitary splenic metastases were encountered and they form the basis of this report. The biopsies were performed under US guidance using a 22-gauge Chiba needle. All the patients underwent laboratory tests, CT examination of the abdomen and chest, US examination of abdomen and pelvis., Results: There were 5 women and 7 men, median age 65 years (range 48-80). Eight patients had a known primary cancer at the time of the diagnosis of splenic metastasis: 3 had breast adenocarcinoma, 2 colon adenocarcinoma, 2 melanoma and 1 lung adenocarcinoma. Four patients were undiagnosed at the time of the appearance of splenic metastasis and subsequent investigations showed adenocarcinoma of the lung in 2 patients and colon adenocarcinoma in the remaining 2. There was a complete correspondence between the US and Computed Tomography (CT) in detecting focal lesions of the spleen. The splenic biopsies allowed a cytological diagnosis of splenic metastasis in all the 12 patients and changed clinical management in all cases. Reviewing the 160 patients that underwent UG-FNAB of the spleen we found no complications related to the biopsies., Conclusion: These results indicate that UG-FNAB is a successful technique for diagnosis of splenic metastasis allowing an adequate treatment of the affected patients.

During the last 20 years an ever increasing number of nonpalpable breast lesions (NPBL) have been identified. A cytohistological definition is required to establish the correct diagnostic classification of these lesions and the suitable therapy to be used. The Fine-Needle Aspiration Cytology (FNAC), the Advanced Breast Biopsy Instrumentation (ABBI) system or the Vacuum Assisted Core Biopsy (VACB) represent valid alternatives to the surgical excision with needle localisation. 591 NPBL have been included in the present study. The suspected grade of each lesion was then assigned according to the Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) of the American College of Radiology. All the BI-RADS 4 and 5, and all the BI-RADS 3 lesions, which after 6-month follow-up showed altered morphology, were sampled for cytological and/or histological examinations by FNAC, VACB or biopsy by ABBI system. The diagnostic algorithm used in this study obviated a surgical procedure in 574 women (97.1%), yielding a 73.9% decrease in the cost of diagnosis compared with surgical biopsy, and a 48.1% decrease in cost if all lesions had been histologically tested using ABBI or VACB procedure. Compared to surgical biopsy, VACB and ABBI system are less expensive, and have smaller emotional and aesthetical impact on patients; however they retain the same sensitivity and specificity.