title: Cytologic and architectural mimics of papillary thyroid carcinoma. Diagnostic challenges in fine-needle aspiration and surgical pathology specimens.
abstract: In this paper, we review those pathologic entities that may mimic papillary thyroid carcinoma. These include specimen preparation and handling issues such as decalcification, frozen section, and artifacts occurring following fine-needle aspiration (FNA). Also discussed are true disease entities, including chronic lymphocytic thyroidits, benign papillary hyperplastic lesions, hyalinizing trabecular neoplasm, and post-FNA changes. Both the cytologic and histopathologic preparations containing these changes are reviewed and illustrated; guidelines for distinctions among these entities are provided.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia 19104, USA.
authors.forename: Zubair W
authors.initials: ZW
authors.lastname: Baloch
authors.forename: Virginia A
authors.initials: VA
authors.lastname: LiVolsi
mesh_terms: D044963:Biopsy, Fine-Needle / Q000379:methods*; D002291:Carcinoma, Papillary / Q000473:pathology*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D016591:Histocytological Preparation Techniques; D006801:Humans; D010340:Pathology, Surgical / Q000379:methods*; D013048:Specimen Handling; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*