Columnar Cell Variant of Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma: Cytological and Histopathologic Correlation

Abstract

Of all primary thyroid neoplasm, papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is the commonest one. Beside the conventional PTC, there are various histological variants, among them columnar cell variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC-CCV), which is a rare entity that demonstrates a more aggressive clinical course compared with the other variants of PTC. Cytologically, its diagnosis is by exclusion of any cellular papillary fragments whereas, histologically by its unique features.Methods: A total of twelve thyroidectomies mainly of PTC-CCV with their preoperative FNAC were included and collected over a 5-year period. All the aspirated materials were stained previously by H&E stains.Results: All cases were demonstrating the presence of papillary malignant structures. Majority of the studied cases FNAC was revealing hypercellularity with variable superposition in association with paucity of nuclear pseudoinclusions and grooves.