[The role of cytology by needle aspiration in the diagnosis of thyroid nodules. Examination of 179 cases]. / Ruolo della citologia per agoaspirazione nella diagnostica dei nodi tiroidei. Esame di 179 casi.

Since May 1981, fine needle biopsies have been used for cytological examination of thyroid nodules that were barely or not recorded by scintiphotography. By February 1984, a total of 179 patients had been examined. The biopsies were repeated on 12 patients where the first sample produced no diagnostic material. In 57 cases, a histological control existed in the form of material removed surgically by enucleoresections, partial and total thyroidectomies. Histological examination confirmed the cytological diagnosis in 7 out of 8 cases (88%) of malignant neoplasias with varying degrees of differentiation. A cytological diagnosis of adenoma was reached in 80% of cases, and of nodular struma in 82% of cases. Microscopic aspects of the cases are described together with the consequent cytological diagnostic criteria, while the characteristics and importance of the technique are also discussed.

[Clinical aspects of testicular biopsy in the infertile subject]. / Aspetti clinici della biopsia testicolare nell'infertile.

Testicular biopsy was once much used in the diagnosis of male infertility. Current clinical experience suggests that it should be confined to a prioritary method in cases of azocytospermia and serious oligozoospermia with low or normal plasma FSH, and as a routine procedure in corrective surgery (varicocelectomy, orchidopexy, etc.). An account is given of the technical variants of the operation, its complications and contraindications, and a brief reference is made to discordant opinions expressed by leading andrologists concerning its indications. It is felt that it should only be performed in suitably selected cases, and always in the event of thorough exploration of the testis and its adnexa.

[Cytologic diagnosis of azoospermia]. / La diagnostica citologica nelle azoospermie.

Pathology and Cytology departments are making increasing use of cytological examination of the semen as an aid to the diagnosis and prognosis of male infertility. Even in cases where it may seem superfluous, as in azoospermia, it can be used to reveal the presence of immature reproductive cells indicating retarded maturation. It may also reveal a greater or lesser number of inflamed cells, indicating swelling of the spermatic vesicles. In this case the patient will be subjected to more specific tests (the Stamey EPS-EVS tests). Spermatic and prostatic vesicle cells are not often examined but this may be done to investigate the origin of the secretion and the site of any swelling.

[Breast needle-biopsy. Personal experience]. / L'agobiopsia mammaria. La nostra esperienza.

A personal series of 133 mammary needle biopsies is presented. Cytological specimens were obtained by aspiration via a thin needle from solid neoformations. The causes in which this form of examination was used are described and the extent to which the findings influenced surgery is explained. The method was found to be diagnostically sound and easy to perform. It may be regarded as a useful addition to other instrumental techniques in the diagnosis of breast swellings and in reducing the percentage of error.