• The Korean Journal of Cytopathology
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.43-53
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• 1999

We retrospectively reviewed the results of 1,850 fine needle aspiration cytology(FNAC) of thyroid nodules performed from 1990 to 1991 in the Department of Pathology, Seoul National University Hospital. Among 1,528 cases and 322 cases aspirated by clinicians and a pathologist, 465 cases(30.4%) and 13 cases(4.0%) of the aspirates were inadequate, respectively. In 227 cases, correlation of the FNAC diagnosis and histologic diagnosis was done. Excluding the inadequate cases, the sensitivity nor the detection of neoplasm(malignancy together with follicular adenoma) was 86.4% and the specificity was 70.7%. The overall diagnostic accuracy was 79.0%. There were 16 false-positive cases(7.0%), and 19 false-negative cases(8.4%). The predictive value of each cytologic diagnosis was 92% in papillary carcinoma, and 100%, in Hashimoto's thyroiditis. The expectancy of malignancy was 52.8% in "suspicious malignancy" and 26.7% in "atypical lesion".

• The Korean Journal of Cytopathology
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.42-46
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• 2002

Epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma(EMC) is a rare, low grade malignant tumor of the salivary glands. The EMC has a distinctive histological appearance comprising ductal structures with an inner epithelial cell component and an outer layer of myoepithelial cells which show plump clear cytoplasm. The cytologic features of the EMC have been rarely described. A correct cytological diagnosis to this rare tumor is difficult with high false negative rate. We report a case of EMC in which fine needle aspiration cytologic findings were misinterpreted as a pleomorphic adenoma.

• The Korean Journal of Cytopathology
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.111-118
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• 1991

Fine needle aspiration biopsy cytology (FNA) is an important diagnostic tool in the management of thyroid nodule. Especially, papillary carcinoma of the thyroid has distinct morphologic features that allow a definite cytologic diagnosis with high degree of accuracy. We examined the characteristic cytologic features of 57 cases of papillary carcinoma of the thyroid, and their frequency and diagnostic significance were evaluated. The results obtained are summerized as follows; 1. In pattern of cellular arrangement, papillary structure with or without stroma is predominant feature (96%). 2. In individual cell morphology, grooved nuclei (95%), intranuclear cytoplasmic invagination (89%) and nuclear lobulation (74%) are most frequent and important cytologic findings. 3. Chromatin pattern is usually fine. Coarse chromatin is infrequent finding (37%). Nucleoli are inconspicuous. Cytoplasm us plump and distinctly eosinophilic. 4. Psammoma bodies are identified only in 4 cases (7%), but they are considered as helpful diagnostic features. 5. There are other associated findings including multinucleated giant cells (51%), macrophages (37%) and cystic degeneration (16%).

• The Korean Journal of Cytopathology
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.23-27
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• 1994

Three cases of subacute necrotizing lymphadenitis diagnosed by fine needle aspiration (FNA) of enlarged lymph nodes are reported. The FNA smears contained randomly activated lymphoid cells, necrotic debris and histiocytes. The same patterns were found in subsequently examined excised lymph nodes from these cases. The differential diagnosis of this entity is discussed and the value of preparing FNA cell blocks and accompanying AFB stain with culture is emphasized. FNA may be able to provide a diagnosis in case of this benign disease, therefore avoiding a more traumatic excisional biopsy.

• The Korean Journal of Cytopathology
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.189-193
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• 1994

Malignant thymoma is usually manifested as a mediastinal mass. Occasiomally, these tumors may be associated with a variety of systemic syndromes, such as myasthenia gravis, pure red cell aplasia or hypogammaglobulinemia However, it is generally accepted that thymomas rarely metastasize and the frequency of extrathoracic metastasis has been reported as 1 to 15%. In general, nuclear changes of tumor cells such as enlarged size, irregular shape and altered textures are determining factors in the assessment of the grade of malignancy. We experienced a case of malignant thymoma of anterior mediastinum in a 35-year-old woman. After 3 years, she developed recurrent malignant thymoma in the right supraclavicular area, diagnosed by aspiration biopsy cytology.

• The Korean Journal of Cytopathology
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.56-62
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• 2006

Salivary duct carcinoma (SDC) is a rare primary salivary gland malignancy characterized by histological features similar to those of ductal carcinomas of the breast. It is regarded as a high-grade malignancy associated with frequent local recurrences and early distant metastases that require aggressive treatment. The typical fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) findings in SDC include cellular smears showing tumor cells with eccentric pleomorphic nuclei and a granular cytoplasm arranged in flat sheets or cribriform patterns against a necrotic background. However, the presence of mucin-containing cells in SDC has been rarely described. We report the FNAC findings in a patient with histologically confirmed SDC that demonstrated numerous mucin-containing cells and was subsequently misdiagnosed as a high-grade mucoepidermoid carcinoma. Here we discuss the problems involved in distinguishing SDC from high-grade mucoepidermoid carcinoma on the basis of cytologic findings alone.

• The Korean Journal of Cytopathology
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.88-92
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• 2002

Scattered single cells or variable sized clusters of signet ring cells in the aspirated smears of breast lesions are almost exclusively associated with carcinoma. The signet ring cells are defined as those containing a prominent intracytoplasmic vacuole or amorphous cytoplasm diffusely dispersed with mucin. The primary signet ring cell carcinoma of the breast behaves more aggressively than carcinoma without signet ring cells. Therefore, it is very important to make a correct diagnosis of signet ring cell carcinoma. Fine needle aspiration cytology is useful for diagnosis of breast lesions Including signet ring cell carcinoma. We report two cases, which showed mostly signet ring cells in the aspirated smears of the breast. One case consisted of numerous individual signet ring cells and variable sized cell clusters in rather mucoid background. The tumor cells had abundant amorphous cytoplasm filled with dispersed mucin or occasionally mucin vacuoles(PAS +) and eccentric nuclei. The resected mass revealed mucinous carcinoma. The other showed the cytologic findings of low cellularity, and small loosely cohesive signet ring cell clusters with mild nuclear pleomorphism. It was confirmed as lobular signet ring cell carcinoma in the resected tumor.

• The Korean Journal of Cytopathology
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.51-59
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• 2002

To determine the usefulness on fine needle aspiration cytology(FNAC) of bone lesions and the complementary role of FNAC and percutaneous needle biopsy, 75 cases of FNAC taken from bone lesions were analyzed. Correlations with histopathology were possible in 47 cases, including 14 cases of simultaneous core biopsy and 33 cases of subsequent open biopsy due to inadequate aspirates. Among 75 cases, 4 cases were benign tumors and tumor-like lesion, 11 cases were malignant primary bone tumors, 17 cases were metastatic tumors, and 43 cases were nonneoplastic bone lesions. The aspirates were adequate in 35 cases(46.7%), in all of which the discrimination between benignancy and malignancy was possible. The main reason for Inadequate aspirates was due to hypocellularity. In the cases of aspiration and core biopsy simultaneously done, the diagnostic accuracy of aspiration, core biopsy, and both were 57%(8/14), 78.6%(11/14), and 92.9%(13/14), respectively. We conclude that a final diagnosis based on cytology is possible with the adequate aspirates and the clinical and radiological findings. Also we confirm the complementary role between FNAC and core biopsy in bone lesions.

• The Korean Journal of Cytopathology
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.62-68
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• 2007

Invasive micropapillary carcinoma (IMPC) of the breast is recently described rare variant of invasive ductal carcinoma. This variant has a distinctive histological features and aggressive biological behavior. We reviewed the cytologic features of eight cases of IMPC. The cytologic smears showed moderate to high cellularity and the tumor tissue was composed of atypical, angulated, cohesive clusters of neoplastic cells with a papillary to tubuloalveolar architecture, and a morular growth pattern without fibrovascular cores was seen on the histopathology. IMPC of the breast has distinctive cytologic features and it is important to make an early diagnosis via fine needle aspiration cytology due to this tumor's aggressive behavior.

• The Korean Journal of Cytopathology
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.9-15
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• 1993

The aim of the present study is to demonstrate the usefulness of intraoperative fine needle aspiration (FNA) of pancreatic lesions in 30 patients. A conclusive diagnosis was done in 27 patients and the diagnoses of three patients were deferred. No complications followed the procedure. Based on histologic findings of the resected specimens in 20 cases and of cell blocks in 10 cases, the final diagnoses were adenocarcinoma in 19 cases, chronic pancreatitis in nine cases and tuberculosis in two cases. The sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic accuracy were 95%, 100% and 96% resepectively and there were no false positives. The smear of aspirate was stained with toluidine blue and examined by light microscope. The presence of there-dimensional clusters of disoriented cells and the increased nuclear/cytoplasmic ratio with large prominent nucleoli were the most helpful criteria for a diagnosis of malignancy in the pancreas. The intraoperative FNA of pancreatic lesions was considered as a simple, safe, and highly specific and sensitive tool in differentiating benign from malignant lesions. The intraoperative FNA can be recommended as the first tool of choice of intraoperative diagnostic procedure in lesions of the pancreas.