Absence of microfollicular basement membrane: a new indicator in the diagnosis of follicular carcinoma thyroid.
The thyroid follicles represent a biological continuum. Each follicle is closely related to the follicle that is next to it. The important feature of a follicular carcinoma is a microfollicular pattern. We report a case of follicular carcinoma in a 48-year-old female that demonstrates microfollicles which are larger in size and contain more number of follicular cells in cytologic smears (20-29 cells) in contrary to the literature definition of microfollicles containing approximately 6-12 cells. We also demonstrate absence of basement membranes in these microfollicles in histologic sections by Silver Methanamine Stain, which may be an indicator to search for vascular and capsular invasion. This case report also describes postoperative positron emission tomography scan findings.
Department of Cytology, Institute of Nuclear Medicine & Allied Sciences, Delhi, India. maheswar.sahoo@gmail.com
Maheswar
M
Sahoo
Tarun
T
Sekhri
Madhabi
M
Tripathi
N
N
Rautela
Y
Y
Solanki
D018263:Adenocarcinoma, Follicular / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D001485:Basement Membrane / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006652:Histological Techniques; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D013961:Thyroid Gland / Q000473:pathology*; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology