Specimen adequacy and diagnostic specificity of ultrasound-guided fine needle aspirations of nonpalpable thyroid nodules.

Ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration (USG-FNA) is a safe, effective, and dependable test used to assess thyroid nodules. However, the size of the lesion can adversely affect the outcome of the procedure. The aim of this study was to assess specimen adequacy and diagnostic specificity in USG-FNA of thyroid nodules measuring < or = 1.5 cm. A total of 219 thyroid FNAs were performed in a one year; 26 were obtained by pathologists, 139 by clinicians, and 54 by radiologists under ultrasound guidance. Of the 54 ultrasound-guided aspirates, 19 cases (35%) were performed on nodules < or = 1.5 cm (range 0.8-1.5 cm, mean 1.3 cm). Cytologic material from these 19 cases was reviewed along with corresponding available follow-up surgical material. Standard criteria for specimen adequacy and established morphologic criteria for diagnostic specificity were assessed in each case. All 19 cases met criteria for specimen adequacy, and in 17 cases (89%) specific cytologic diagnoses were made (cellular/adenomatous nodule--2 cases, colloid nodule--10 cases, Hashimoto's thyroiditis--4 cases, and papillary cystic carcinoma--1 case). The diagnoses were confirmed by surgical follow-up in six cases including the case of papillary carcinoma. One case diagnosed as suspicious for a papillary carcinoma subsequently was found to be a follicular adenoma by histology. In one case, a diagnosis of lymphocytic thyroiditis versus intrathyroidal lymphoid tissue was made (See Table I). In majority of cases of USG-FNA of nonpalpable thyroid nodules, adequate material may be obtained for a specific cytopathologic diagnosis.

Hairy cell leukemia variant developing in a background of polycythemia vera.

We report a case of hairy cell leukemia variant developing in a background of polycythemia vera in a 77-year-old man who presented with lymphocytosis and splenomegaly. Classic hairy cell leukemia in a patient with polycythemia vera has been reported previously, but hairy cell leukemia variant arising in a patient with polycythemia vera has never been described to the best of our knowledge. Initial testing of the peripheral blood showed circulating medium to large leukemic cells with large, centrally placed nuclei, each containing a prominent nucleolus, and some cells showed cytoplasmic projections. A bone marrow biopsy had marked myeloid and erythroid hyperplasia and interstitially distributed cells with a fried-egg appearance. We verified a monoclonal B-cell population by flow cytometric analysis, which revealed expression of bright CD11c, CD22, and CD103 expression, and a lack of CD25 expression. The patient received a 5-day course of cladribine and subsequently had a complete remission. Approximately 2 months later, he had a relapse and was treated with pentostatin; however, he had no clinical response and died.