AIM:To estimate suspect nodule for benign or malignant characteristics, and to verify cytological features of the node with the fine needle aspiration (FNA) under ultrasound.DESIGN:A total of 106 patients were analyzed. FNA biopsy was performed at outpatient clinic via ultrasound. Inform consent was signed for each patient. Preparation of procedure with local anaesthesia was made by assistant nurse.PROCEDURE:Parallel approach of ultrasound guided fine needle aspiration (USGFNA) was used for each patient. This approach allows the operator to observe needle penetration, location and pathway of the entire needle within the neck, thyroid and nodule, which remain visible on the monitor. As a side effect commonly noticed mild pain and dizziness were recorded.RESULTS:General findings: According the gender, 96 (90.5%) of them were women and 10 (9.5%) men. Median age was 47 ± 9 years. Cytological findings: 5 patients were with papillary carcinoma, 3 with Hurtle cell metaplasia, 1 follicular tumour and 1 with unclear differentiation.CONCLUSION:Close collaboration between endocrinologists, morphologists and surgeons in a multidisciplinary frame is the key to correct preoperative thyroid cancer diagnosis and optimal treatment. FNA biopsy remains the most accurate diagnostic method in detecting thyroid cancer.

BACKGROUND:The main prognostic factor in early staged breast cancer is the axillary lymph node metastatic affection. Sentinel lymph node biopsy, as a staging modality, significantly decreases surgical morbidity. The status of internal mammary lymph nodes gains an increased predictive role in grading breast carcinomas and modulation of postoperative therapeutic protocols. If positive, almost always are associated with worse disease outcome. Nevertheless, the clinical significance of internal mammary lymph node micrometastases has not been up to date precisely defined.AIM:To present a case of female patient clinically diagnosed as T1, N0, M0 (clinical TNM) ductal breast carcinoma with scintigraphic detection of internal mammary and axillary sentinel lymph nodes.METHODS:Dual method of scintigraphic sentinel lymph node detection using 99mTc-SENTI-SCINT and blue dye injection, intraoperative gamma probe detection, radioguided surgery and intraoperative ex tempore biopsy were used.CASE REPORT:We present a case of clinically T1, N0, M0 ductal breast cancer with scintigraphic detection of internal mammary and axillary sentinel lymph nodes. Intraoperative ex tempore biopsy revealed micrometastases in the internal mammary node and no metastatic involvement of the axillary sentinel lymph node.CONCLUSION:Detection of internal mammary lymph node metastases improves N (nodal) grading of breast cancer by selecting a high risk subgroup of patients that require adjuvant hormone therapy, chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy.

BackgroundHürthle cell neoplasms could be benign (Hürthle cell adenoma) or malignant (Hürthle cell carcinoma). Hürthle cell carcinoma is a rare tumour, representing 5% of all differentiated thyroid carcinomas. The cytological evaluation of Hürthle cell neoplasms by fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) is complicated because of the presence of Hürthle cells in both Hürthle cell adenoma and Hürthle cell carcinoma. Thus, the preoperative distinction between these two entities is very difficult and possible only with pathohistological findings of the removed tumour.Case reportA 57-year old female patient was admitted at our Department, for investigation of nodular thyroid gland. She was euthyroid and FNAB of the nodules in both thyroid lobes were consistent of Hürthle cell adenoma with cellular atypias. After thyroidectomy the histopathology revealed Hürthle cell adenoma with high cellular content and discrete cellular atypias in the left lobe and follicular thyroid adenoma without cellular atypias in the right lobe. One year after substitution therapy, a palpable tumour on the left side of the remnant tissue was found, significantly growing with time, presented as hot nodule on 99mTc-sestamibi scan and conclusive with Hürthle cell adenoma with marked cellularity on FNAB. Tumorectomy was performed and well-differentiated Hürthle cell carcinoma detected. The patient received ablative dose of 100 mCi 131I. No signs of metastatic disease are present up to date.ConclusionsThe differences between Hürthle cell adenomas and Hürthle cell carcinomas could be clearly made only by histopathological evaluation. Patients with cytological diagnosis of Hürthle cell neoplasms should proceed to total thyroidectomy, especially if tumour size is > 1cm, FNAB findings comprise cellular atypias and/or multiple bilateral nodules are detected in the thyroid gland.

Introduction: Breast cancer accouns for 22.9% of all cancers in women and 13.7% of cancer deaths. Positive axillary lymphnodes (ALN) predict the development of distant metastases. The status of the sentinel lymphnode (SLN) is crutial for the treatment selection. Aim: To determine the benefits of SLN detection in patients with breast cancer. Material and methodology: 38 female patients (pts), age 44 ± 12 years, with T1-2 N0 M0 breast cancer, without enlarged ALN on ultrasound (US), were included. SLN detection was performed using gamma camera and gamma detection probe after periareolar subcutaneous and/or peritumoral injection of (99m-Technetium-SENTISCINT). Blue dye was administered 20 min before the operation. SLN was extirpated and ex tempore histopathology was performed. Results: Ex tempore SLN evaluation was negative and the lymphatic pathways preserved in 28/38 (74%) pts. In 10/38 (26%) pts SLN was positive, followed by radical surgery. In 3/28 ex tempore negative patients, histopathological analysis showed metastatic involvement (false negative). In 3/10 ex tempore positive patients micro metastases 0,2-2 mm were detected. 12 pts had 2 SLN, 8/12 (66%) had negative and 4/12 (34%) had positive SLN. 3 pts had a rare double drainage to axilla and a. mammaria int. Conclusion: Our results confirm that SLN detection technique is non-invasive, safe and reliable and should be incorporated into the guidelines for breast cancer pts (T1-2 N0 M0). The most reliable option for colloid application is the combined technique of periareolar and peritumoral injection. Patients with drainage to a. mammaria interna should be selected for adjuvant protocols.