This study reports a case of anaplastic transformation from a well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma in a young patient. The first recurrent tissue contained poorly differentiated foci that revealed lower thyroglobulin, thyroid transcription factor 1 (TTF-1), and galectin-3 expression than the well-differentiated area. However there was no increased p53 or Ki-67 expression in the poorly differentiated foci, nor in the well-differentiated area. The tissue subsequently relapsed and revealed only anaplastic features, complete loss of thyroglobulin, TTF-1, and galectin-3 expression and revealed an increase in p53 and Ki-67 expression. The BRAF V600E and BRAF V600V mutation were found in the initially diagnosed papillary thyroid carcinoma and the poorly differentiated foci of the recurring papillary thyroid carcinoma; however, only the BRAF V600V mutation was found in the anaplastic carcinoma. These results suggest that overexpression of p53 and Ki-67 contributed to the anaplastic transformation. We also found that the BRAF type changed during the tumor relapse.
Carcinoma ; Galectin 3 ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf ; Recurrence ; Thyroglobulin ; Thyroid Gland ; Thyroid Neoplasms* ; Transcription Factors ; Young Adult

BACKGROUND: The macrofollicular variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma (MVPC) is characterized by macrofollicles occupying more than half of the tumor and demonstrating nuclear features of classic papillary carcinoma. It is difficult to recognize on fine needle aspiration (FNA) cytology due to the paucity of aspirated neoplastic cell clusters, especially when the tumor is associated with extensive areas of hemorrhage. CASE: A 34-year-old female presented with a well-demarcated nodule in the thyroid gland, diagnosed as a benign nodule on ultrasonography and computed tomography. FNA cytology smear revealed a few small aggregates of follicular cells with morphological features suspicious for papillary carcinoma, set in a background of hemorrhage, inflammatory cells, and hemosiderin-laden macrophages. Intraoperative frozen section revealed macrofollicular nests filled with hemorrhage and composed of follicular cells demonstrating nuclear clearing and grooves. CONCLUSION: MVPC is a rare but distinctive variant of papillary carcinoma, which is easily mistaken for adenomatous goiter or benign macrofollicular neoplasm on radiologic findings. The cytopathologist should alert oneself on encountering benign radiologic findings and any smear composed of scant numbers of follicular cells with nuclear features suspicious for papillary carcinoma despite the bland-looking background of hemorrhage and hemosiderin-laden macrophages, and recommend intraoperative frozen sections for a definite diagnosis.
Adult ; Biopsy, Fine-Needle ; Carcinoma, Papillary ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Frozen Sections ; Goiter ; Hemorrhage* ; Humans ; Macrophages ; Thyroid Gland* ; Thyroid Neoplasms* ; Ultrasonography

Mucinous cystadenocarcinoma (MCA) in the breast is a rare neoplasm. There have been 13 cases of primary breast MCA reported. The MCA presents as a large, partially cystic mass in postmenopausal woman with a good prognosis. The microscopic findings resemble those of ovarian, pancreatic, or appendiceal MCA. The aspiration findings showed mucin-containing cell clusters in the background of mucin and necrotic material. The cell clusters had intracytoplasmic mucin displacing atypical nuclei to the periphery. Histologically, the tumor revealed an abundant mucin pool with small floating clusters of mucin-containing tumor cells. There were also small cysts lined by a single layer of tall columnar mucinous cells, resembling those of the uterine endocervix. The cancer cells were positive for mucin (MUC) 5 and negative for MUC2 and MUC6. This mucin profile is different from ordinary mucinous carcinoma and may be a unique characteristic of breast MCA.
Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous ; Breast ; Cystadenocarcinoma, Mucinous ; Female ; Humans ; Mucins ; Prognosis

BACKGROUND: The Bethesda System for Reporting Thyroid Cytopathology (BSRTC) uses six diagnostic categories to standardize communication of thyroid fine-needle aspiration (FNA) interpretations between clinicians and cytopathologists. Since several studies have questioned the diagnostic accuracy of this system, we examined its accuracy in our hospital. METHODS: We calculated the incidences and malignancy rates of each diagnostic category in the BSRTC for 1,730 FNAs that were interpreted by four cytopathologists in Gangnam Severance Hospital between October 1, 2011, and December 31, 2011. RESULTS: The diagnostic incidences of categories I-VI were as follows: 13.3%, 40.6%, 9.1%, 0.4%, 19.3%, and 17.3%, respectively. Similarly, the malignancy rates of these categories were as follows: 35.3%, 5.6%, 69.0%, 50.0%, 98.7%, and 98.9%, respectively. In categories II, V, and VI, there were no statistically significant differences in the ranges of the malignancy rates among the four cytopathologists. However, there were significant differences in the ranges for categories I and III. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that institutions that use the BSRTC should regularly update their diagnostic criteria. We also propose that institutions issue an annual report of incidences and malignancy rates to help other clinicians improve the case management of patients with thyroid nodules.
Biopsy, Fine-Needle ; Case Management ; Diagnosis* ; Humans ; Incidence* ; Pathology ; Thyroid Gland* ; Thyroid Nodule

We describe herein histologic, immunohistochemical, and molecular findings and clinical manifestations of a rare case of an extremely well differentiated papillary thyroid carcinoma (EWD-PTC). Similarly, it is also difficult to diagnose follicular variant papillary thyroid carcinoma (FVPTC), whose diagnosis is still met with controversy. A recently reported entity of well-differentiated tumor of uncertain malignant potential (WDT-UMP) is added to the diagnostic spectrum harboring EWD-PTC and FVPTC. We report this case, because EWD-PTC is different from FVPTC in its papillary architecture, and also from WDT-UMP in its recurrence and metastatic pattern. These morphologically deceptive entities harbored diagnostic difficulties in the past because the diagnosis depended solely on histology. However, they are now diagnosed with more certainty by virtue of immunohistochemical and molecular studies. We experienced a case of EWD-PTC, which had been diagnosed as adenomatous hyperplasia 20 years ago and manifested recurrence with lymph node (LN) metastasis 7 years later. After another 7 years of follow-up, a new thyroid lesion had developed, diagnosed as FVPTC, with LN metastasis of EWD-PTC. One year later, the patient developed metastatic FVPTC in the skull. Immunohistochemically, the EWD-PTC was focally positive for CK19, negative for galectin-3, and focally negative for CD56. Molecular studies revealed BRAF-positivity and K-RAS negativity. The FVPTC in the left thyroid showed both BRAF and K-RAS negativity. In conclusion, EWD-PTC and FVPTC share similar histologic features, but they are different tumors with different molecular biologic and clinical manifestations. A large cohort of EWD-PTC should be included in further study.
Adenocarcinoma, Follicular/pathology/secondary ; Adult ; Carcinoma, Papillary, Follicular/pathology/*secondary ; Female ; Galectin 3/analysis ; Humans ; Hyperplasia/pathology ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local/pathology ; Skull Neoplasms/*secondary ; Thyroid Neoplasms/*pathology

Although subacute granulomatous thyroiditis(SGT) is usually diagnosed clinically, papillary carcinoma or other thyroid conditions must be considered in the differential diagnosis. We retrospectively reviewed the clinical and fine-needle aspiration(FNA) cytologic findings seen in 10 SGT cases to decide what are the most reliable cytologic findings and the most helpful molecular tools for reaching a confident cytologic diagnosis. The most representative smear slides were retrieved to perform immunocytochemistry for cytokeratin19(CK19) and Ret protein. Five papillary carcinomas(PTCs) were included as controls. The constant and typical cytologic findings of SGT were multinucleated giant cells(MGCs) (100%), epithelioid granulomas(90%), an inflammatory dirty background(90%) and plump transformed follicular cells(80%) without fire-flare cells, oncocytic cells or transformed lymphocytes. The immunoreactivities for CK19(37.5%) and Ret(10%) of the follicular cells of SGT were less than those(CK19 and Ret:100%) of PTC. CK19 immunoreactivity of the MGCs was seen in only one case of PTC. There was no significant difference between CK19 and Ret immunocytochemical staining for the MGCs of both SGT and PTC. The results of this study demonstrate that the cytological diagnosis of SGT can be improved by employing a combination of the typical and constant diagnostic cytological features and immunocytochemical results.
Biopsy ; Biopsy, Fine-Needle ; Carcinoma, Papillary ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Factor IX ; Immunohistochemistry ; Lymphocytes ; Retrospective Studies ; Thyroid Gland ; Thyroiditis

BACKGROUND: Hashimoto's encephalopathy (HE) and anti N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) encephalitis have clinical overlaps. CASE REPORT: A 70-year-old woman presented with acutely developed confusion, disorientations and psychosis. HE was suspected based on goiter, markedly elevated anti-thyroglobulin and anti-thyroid peroxidase antibody. She was placed on high dose steroid and intravenous immunoglobulins administration, which did not ameliorate her symptoms. After the antibodies to the NMDAR were identified, weekly 500 mg of rituximab with 4 cycles were started. The current followed up indicated a complete recovery. CONCLUSIONS: The possible associations between NMDAR antibody and autoimmune thyroid antibodies in anti-NMDAR encephalitis with positive thyroid autoantibodies remain unclear. However, a trend toward a higher incidence of NMDAR antibody in patients with autoimmune thyroid antibodies than without has been observed. Cases of encephalitis with only NMDAR antibody (pure anti-NMDAR encephalitis) also occur. Therefore, it is important for clinicians to know the clinical and pathogenic differences between anti-NMDAR encephalitis with positive thyroid autoantibody and pure anti-NMDAR encephalitis for relevant treatment, predicting prognosis, and future follow-up.
Aged ; Anti-N-Methyl-D-Aspartate Receptor Encephalitis* ; Antibodies ; Autoantibodies ; Encephalitis ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Goiter ; Humans ; Immunoglobulins, Intravenous ; Incidence ; N-Methylaspartate ; Peroxidase ; Prognosis ; Psychotic Disorders ; Thyroid Gland* ; Rituximab

Purpose: In the present study, we introduce human lacrimal gland imaging using an ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM) with a soft cover and show their findings Methods: The representative UBM findings of palpebral lobes in seven subjects (four with non-Sjögren dry eye syndrome, one with Sjögren syndrome, and two healthy subjects) were described in this study. To prolapse the palpebral lobe, the examiner pulled the temporal part of the upper eyelid in the superotemporal direction and directed the subject to look in the inferonasal direction. We scanned the palpebral lobes longitudinally and transversely using UBM. We used an Aviso UBM with a 50 MHz linear probe and ClearScan. Results: In UBM of two healthy subjects, the echogenicity of the lacrimal gland was lower than that of the sclera and homogeneous. But the parenchyma of a patient with Sjögren dry eye syndrome was quite inhomogeneous compared to the healthy subjects. In two patients with dry eye syndrome, we were able to observe some lobules in the parenchyma. We could find excretory ducts running parallel at the surface of the longitudinal section in some subjects. In the longitudinal UBM scan of a subject, we observed a tubular structure at a depth of 1,500 μm that was considered a blood vessel. It ran from the superonasal to the inferotemporal direction. In a subject, we observed a large cyst beneath the conjunctiva. Conclusions Lacrimal gland imaging using UBM has both advantages of optical coherence tomography and sonography, and could be useful for evaluating dry eye syndrome.