Cytology and flow cytometry to identify ectopic thymic tissue masquerading as a thyroid nodule in two children.
BACKGROUND
Clinically unapparent thyroid nodules in children pose a significant problem in differential diagnosis and management. Ectopic thymic tissue in the thyroid gland is rare, but may masquerade as a thyroid nodule. This paper demonstrates the utility of flow cytometry as an adjunct to cytology by fine needle aspiration in diagnosing ectopic thymic tissue in the thyroid gland.


CONCLUSIONS
By demonstration of T lymphocytes maturing along two cell lineages and the absence of markers for malignant lesions, fine-needle aspiration, cytology, and flow cytometry were used to identify ectopic thymic tissue masquerading as a thyroid nodule in two children.


CONCLUSIONS
Use of this technique prevented surgical intervention that otherwise would have been necessary to obtain an accurate diagnosis of these thyroid nodules.
Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, Department of Pediatrics, State University of New York, Stony Brook, New York 11794-8111, USA.
Lourdes
L
Aguayo-Figueroa
Marc G
MG
Golightly
Youjun
Y
Hu
Harris L
HL
Cohen
Thomas A
TA
Wilson
D044963:Biopsy, Fine-Needle; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002828:Choristoma / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003584:Cytological Techniques; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000473:pathology; D013950:Thymus Gland; D016606:Thyroid Nodule / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology