"A Cytomorphological Study of Thyroid Lesions with Special Reference to Macrophages"

Background and Objectives : Fine needle Aspiration cytology (FNAC) plays an important role in the evaluation of the nodules in the thyroid gland & selection of patients for surgical treatment. The present study was undertaken with the following aims and objectives:1. To study morphological features in thyroid aspirates. 2. To study the cytomorphologic attributes useful in distinguishing between neoplastic and non-neoplastic lesions. 3.To identify conditions associated with presence of macrophages Methodology : The current study comprised 240 cases with FNA smears from patients with enlarged thyroid (diffuse/nodular). Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology was done and the slides were stained with routine stains plus special stains as and when required. Results & Conclusion : The results of this study illustrate that if PTC and Hurthle cell neoplasms are excluded, the presence of macrophages strongly supports the diagnosis of benign colloid nodule (P < 0.0001). FNAC proved to be a safe, inexpensive, repeatable and rapid procedure in which no hospitalization or anaesthesia is required.