Subacute thyroiditis: Fine-needle aspiration cytology of 14 cases presenting with thyroid nodules

Abstract

Subacute thyroiditis (SAT) is usually diagnosed clinically without the need for fine-needle aspiration. The cytologic literature on this condition is therefore rare. We report on 14 cases of SAT presenting with thyroid nodules. The majority of patients were women with a mean age of 46 yr. All had pain/tenderness in the thyroid area accompanied by fever or an elevated ESR. The salient cytologic features included cellular smears; multinucleated giant cells in 100% of cases, some ingesting colloid or neutrophils; fibrous fragments with enmeshed inflammatory cells were a constant feature; follicular cells were scant to absent in most cases. Granulomas were rare. Colloid, when present was thick, with central cracks and frayed edges. One case was suspicious for malignancy. We conclude that the cytologic features of SAT are predictable, particularly, in the appropriate clinical setting. FNA is also helpful in ruling out concomitant neoplastic conditions.

Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology of Subacute Granulomatous Thyroiditis: A Clinico-Cytological Review of 10 Cases with Immunocytochemical Analysis

“…The cytologic literature on SGT is relatively rare, but the cytologic features of SGT has been well described. 1,[4][5][6]10,21 One report summarized the key cytologic features of SGT with performing Giemsa staining. 10 and after that, another report has been published that used Papanicolou stain.…”

“…10 and after that, another report has been published that used Papanicolou stain. 21 The aspirate of SGT usually dis- Our study was performed with Papanicolou stain and we were able to compare the reported cytologic features. 10,21 with those of our cases.…”

“…21 The aspirate of SGT usually dis- Our study was performed with Papanicolou stain and we were able to compare the reported cytologic features. 10,21 with those of our cases. Our cytologic results…”

Recommandations de la Société française d’endocrinologie pour la prise en charge des nodules thyroïdiens

“…Si un certain nombre de critères cliniques peuvent orienter vers la malignité (tableau II), aucun n'est complètement spécifique [46][47][48][49]. Leur sensibilité est médiocre car seule une minorité de patients ayant un cancer présentent un ou plusieurs de ces critères.…”

Clinical and cytomorphological study of Dequervains thyroiditis

“…9 SGT is usually diagnosed clinically and therefore the cytological literature on this condition is rare. 3 SGT requires no specific treatment but there are other thyroid conditions which present with similar clinical manifestations that must be ruled out like acute thyroiditis and Grave's disea se, both of which require different therapeutic modalities. This diagnostic task is solved by means of fine-needle aspiration (FNA).…”