CYTOLOGIC FINDINGS IN THYROGLOSSAL DUCT CARCINOMA

Approximately 150 cases of thyroglossal duct carcinoma, predominantly of the papillary type, have been reported, but the preoperative fine-n eedle aspiration (FNA) diagnosis of such neoplasms has rarely been cit ed. The authors describe FNA findings in four samples obtained from th ree patients who were 29, 50, and 83 Sears of age, histologically diag nosed as papillary (n = 2) and squamous (n = 1)thyroglossal duct carci nomas, Atypia and squamous cell carcinoma were the FNA diagnoses in th e patients with papillary carcinomas. Cellularity was scant in two cas es and moderate in one, and all displayed a cystic background. The aut hors also reviewed FNA features in 11 papillary and 2 Hurthle cell car cinomas from the English language literature; diagnostic findings were present in less than one third of the cases, In conclusion, familiari ty with the FNA findings of thyroglossal duct carcinoma is limited by its rarity. The presence of large, atypical squamous cells, or psammom a bodies, in the FNA material of a midline anterior cystic neck mass s hould suggest papillary thyroglossal duct carcinoma.