Cytologic characteristics and β-catenin immunocytochemistry on smear slide of cribriform-morular variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study is to analyze the characteristic cytologic features of the cribriform-morular variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma (CVPTC) and to find out the possibility of a preoperative diagnosis of CVPTC in fine needle aspiration (FNA).


METHODS
A retrospective review of cytologic features of 5 patients who were diagnosed with CVPTC after thyroidectomy and underwent preoperative FNA was performed. In addition, β-catenin immunocytochemistry on a smear slide was applied.


RESULTS
All cases showed a high cellularity smear, cribriform architecture, ovoid/columnar cells, obvious nucleoli, and nuclear groove. Epithelial morules were observed in 4 (80%) cases. All cases demonstrated a nuclear and cytoplasmic expression in β-catenin immunocytochemistry applied to a smear slide.


CONCLUSIONS
Preoperative diagnosis of CVPTC can be made by cytologic features of cribriform architecture, epithelial morule, and columnar cells in FNA and β-catenin immunocytochemistry on a smear slide showing a nuclear and cytoplasm expression.
Department of Pathology, Yonsei University Health System, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.
Ja Seung
JS
Koo
Woohee
W
Jung
Soon Won
SW
Hong
D000328:Adult; D044963:Biopsy, Fine-Needle; D002277:Carcinoma; D002291:Carcinoma, Papillary / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D000077273:Thyroid Cancer, Papillary; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D055815:Young Adult; D051176:beta Catenin / Q000378:metabolism*
D051176:beta Catenin