Worrisome histologic alterations following fine needle aspiration of the thyroid.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate worrisome histologic alterations following fine needle aspiration (FNA) of the thyroid (WHAFFT).


METHODS
Of 1,890 FNA thyroid cases, 265 underwent surgical excision. The histologic sections of these cases were studied for WHAFFT lesions. Thirty control cases were also studied.


RESULTS
WHAFFT lesions were present in 38.49% of cases. Acute lesions were seen in 30 and chronic in 72 cases. Control cases did not show WHAFFT lesions. The common lesions were hemorrhage and fibrosis. Worrisome lesions, like nuclear atypia, vascular changes, capsular pseudoinvasion and metaplasia, were present in 32 (12.07%) cases.


CONCLUSIONS
Considering the large number of FNAs and reduction in the number of thyroid excisions, the advantages of FNA are manifold as compared to the few diagnostic problems. Misdiagnosis can be avoided with awareness of WHAFFT lesions.
Department of Pathology, Seth Gordhandas Sunderdas Medical College and King Edward Memorial Hospital, Parel, Mumbai, India. pandit_a@vsnl.com
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Pandit
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Phulpagar
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000648:ultrastructure; D002648:Child; D003951:Diagnostic Errors; D005260:Female; D005355:Fibrosis / Q000473:pathology; D006042:Goiter / Q000473:pathology; D006097:Granulation Tissue / Q000473:pathology; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008679:Metaplasia / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000648:ultrastructure