Solid and papillary epithelial tumour of the pancreas: cytological case study with ultrastructural and flow cytometric evaluation.

An intraoperative cytological diagnosis of a rare solid and papillary epithelial tumor of the pancreas was made at laparotomy in a 15-year-old Indian female. The characteristic cytological features were the presence of numerous large branching papillary clusters with central vascular stalks lined by multiple layers of uniform bland cells. Perivascular metachromatic material was prominent on Romanovsky stain. Ultrastructural identification of endocrine and exocrine features supports a multipotential cell origin in small pancreatic ductules. DNA analysis, not previously reported for this tumour, demonstrated a diploid population of tumour cells with a low S-phase fraction (0.4%). This would explain the bland nuclear morphology and favourable prognosis with a high rate of surgical cure for this neoplasm.

Fine needle biopsy of thyroid nodules: the importance of technique.

Fine needle biopsy (FNB) is the most accurate method available for the investigation of single thyroid nodules. The exact technique employed, however, varies considerably among clinicians: in our institution the incidence of 'inadequate' specimens produced ranges from only 13 to 62%, depending on the individual performing the biopsy. In a prospective in vivo study, a variety of biopsy techniques employing different gauge needles and differing numbers of passes with and without aspiration were assessed with respect to the quality of cytological specimen produced. Criteria assessed included the number of cells or sheets of cells, cell clumping, blood contamination, amount of colloid, and overall slide quality. Samples obtained with a 21 gauge needle without aspiration consistently gave best individual cell morphology. On the other hand, samples obtained with a 23 gauge needle with five aspirated passes through the nodule gave the highest yield of cells with an acceptable minimal increase in the degree of blood contamination and cell clumping. In order to achieve consistent yields from FNB of thyroid nodules, a combination of these two techniques is recommended.