Spinal metastasis of a thyroglobulin-rich Hürthle cell carcinoma detected by fine needle aspiration. Light and electron microscopic study of an unusual case.
A prospective diagnosis of metastatic thyroid carcinoma was made on an aspirate of a spinal mass. While the cellular component of the aspirate was compatible with a renal or hepatic neoplasm, the recognition of colloid on air-dried smears defined the cells as Hürthle cells. Biopsy of the spinal tumor and subsequent thyroidectomy revealed a Hürthle cell carcinoma. Whereas the primary tumor showed typical Hürthle cell architecture, with solid tumor nests and microfollicle formation, the metastasis contained areas of macrofollicle formation with abundant colloid production and strong immunocytochemical reactivity for thyroglobulin. This change of histologic pattern from the primary tumor to the metastasis has not been previously reported in Hürthle cell lesions. The unusual light microscopic and ultrastructural aspects of this tumor are discussed.
Heimann
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Department of Pathology, SUNY at Stony Brook 11794-8691.
Moll
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D000368:Aged; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D013120:Spinal Cord Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000556:secondary; D013954:Thyroglobulin / Q000378:metabolism
D013954:Thyroglobulin