Rose C Anton1, Thomas M Wheeler. 1. Department of Pathology, The Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas 77030-2707, USA. ranton@tmh.tmc.edu
Abstract
CONTEXT: Preoperative fine-needle aspiration of thyroid lesions has greatly diminished the need for surgical evaluation. However, because thyroid nodules are common lesions, many still require surgical intervention and represent a substantial number of cases that the pathologist encounters in the frozen section laboratory. OBJECTIVE: Comprehensive reviews of frozen section indications, as well as gross, cytologic, and histologic features of the most common and diagnostically important thyroid and parathyroid lesions, are presented to provide a guideline for proper triage and management of these cases in the frozen section laboratory. The most common pitfalls are discussed in an attempt to avoid discordant diagnoses. DATA SOURCES: Thyroid lobectomy, subtotal or total thyroidectomy, and parathyroid biopsy or parathyroidectomy cases are included in this review. CONCLUSIONS: The frozen section evaluation of thyroid and parathyroid lesions remains a highly accurate procedure with a low false-positive rate. Gross inspection, complemented by cytologic and histologic review, provides the surgeon with the rapid, reliable, cost-effective information necessary for optimum patient care.
CONTEXT: Preoperative fine-needle aspiration of thyroid lesions has greatly diminished the need for surgical evaluation. However, because thyroid nodules are common lesions, many still require surgical intervention and represent a substantial number of cases that the pathologist encounters in the frozen section laboratory. OBJECTIVE: Comprehensive reviews of frozen section indications, as well as gross, cytologic, and histologic features of the most common and diagnostically important thyroid and parathyroid lesions, are presented to provide a guideline for proper triage and management of these cases in the frozen section laboratory. The most common pitfalls are discussed in an attempt to avoid discordant diagnoses. DATA SOURCES: Thyroid lobectomy, subtotal or total thyroidectomy, and parathyroid biopsy or parathyroidectomy cases are included in this review. CONCLUSIONS: The frozen section evaluation of thyroid and parathyroid lesions remains a highly accurate procedure with a low false-positive rate. Gross inspection, complemented by cytologic and histologic review, provides the surgeon with the rapid, reliable, cost-effective information necessary for optimum patient care.
Authors: Oktay Irkorucu; Oge Tascilar; Guldeniz Karadeniz Cakmak; Ali Ugur Emre; Hamdi Bulent Ucan; Karakaya Kemal; Mustafa Comert Journal: Indian J Surg Date: 2008-07-30 Impact factor: 0.656