Comparison of Diagnostic Rates and Concordance with Subsequent Surgical Resections between Conventional Smear and ThinPrep Preparations versus ThinPrep Only in Thyroid Fine Needle Aspiration (T-FNA) Specimens

BRAF Detection in FNAC Combined with Semi-Quantitative 99mTc-MIBI Technique and AI Model, an Economic and Efficient Predicting Tool for Malignancy in Thyroid Nodules

BACKGROUND

Technology allows us to predict a histopathological diagnosis, but the high costs prevent the large-scale use of these possibilities. The current liberal indication for surgery in benign thyroid conditions led to a rising frequency of incidental thyroid carcinoma, especially low-risk papillary micro-carcinomas.

METHODS

We selected a cohort of 148 patients with thyroid nodules by ultrasound characteristics and investigated them by fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC)and prospective BRAF collection for 70 patients. Also, we selected 44 patients with thyroid nodules using semi-quantitative functional imaging with an oncological, 99mTc-methoxy-isobutyl-isonitrile (99mTc-MIBI) radiotracer.

RESULTS

Following a correlation with final histopathological reports in patients who underwent thyroidectomy, we introduced the results in a machine learning program (AI) in order to obtain a pattern. For semi-quantitative functional visual pattern imaging, we found a sensitivity of 33%, a specificity of 66.67%, an accuracy of 60% and a negative predicting value (NPV) of 88.6%. For the wash-out index (WOind), we found a sensitivity of 57.14%, a specificity of 50%, an accuracy of 70% and an NPV of 90.06%.The results of BRAF in FNAC included 87.50% sensitivity, 75.00% specificity, 83.33% accuracy, 75.00% NPV and 87.50% PPV. The prevalence of malignancy in our small cohort was 11.4%.

CONCLUSIONS

We intend to continue combining preoperative investigations such as molecular detection in FNAC, 99mTc-MIBI scanning and AI training with the obtained results on a larger cohort. The combination of these investigations may generate an efficient and cost-effective diagnostic tool, but confirmation of the results on a larger scale is necessary.

Comparison of Liquid-Based Preparations with Conventional Smears in Thyroid Fine-Needle Aspirates: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

To compare conventional smears (CSs) and liquid-based preparations (LBPs) for diagnosing thyroid malignant or suspicious lesions.

METHODS

Studies in the PubMed, SCOPUS, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane database published up to December 2023. We reviewed 17 studies, including 15,861 samples.

RESULTS

The diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) for CS was 23.6674. The area under the summary receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) was 0.879, with sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value, and positive predictive value of 0.8266, 0.8668, 0.8969, and 0.7841, respectively. The rate of inadequate specimens was 0.1280. For LBP, the DOR was 25.3587, with an AUC of 0.865. The sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value, and positive predictive value were 0.8190, 0.8833, 0.8515, and 0.8562. The rate of inadequate specimens was 0.1729. For CS plus LBP, the AUC was 0.813, with a lower DOR of 9.4557 compared to individual methods. Diagnostic accuracy did not significantly differ among CS, LBP, and CS plus LBP. Subgroup analysis was used to compare ThinPrep and SurePath. The DORs were 29.1494 and 19.7734. SurePath had a significantly higher AUC.

CONCLUSIONS

There was no significant difference in diagnostic accuracy or proportion of inadequate smears between CS and LBP. SurePath demonstrated higher diagnostic accuracy than ThinPrep. Recommendations for fine-needle aspiration cytology should consider cost, feasibility, and accuracy.

Preoperative evaluation of thyroid nodules - Diagnosis and management strategies

Thyroid cancer is the most common endocrine malignancy, with increasing incidence over the past few decades. Fine needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy is the gold standard for preoperative diagnosis of thyroid malignancies. Nevertheless, this method renders indeterminate results in up to 30% of the cases. Therefore, these patients are often referred to unnecessary surgery to establish the diagnosis. To improve the accuracy of preoperative diagnosis, several other ways, such as ultrasonography, elastography, immunohistochemical analysis, genetic testing, and core needle biopsy, have been developed and can be used either in association with or as an alternative to FNA. This review aims to evaluate all these diagnostic tools to determine the most appropriate way of managing thyroid nodules and subsequently improve the selection of cases referred to surgery.

Preoperative BRAFV600E mutation detection in thyroid carcinoma by immunocytochemistry

The BRAF^V600E (BRAF) mutation is present in 40-50% of papillary thyroid carcinomas (PTC) and has been associated with more aggressive clinicopathological characteristics of PTC. The aim of this study was to evaluate different methods for preoperative identification of the BRAF mutation in PTC using cytological and histological specimens. Prospectively collected preoperative cytological clots from patients with suspected PTC were tested with BRAF immunocytochemistry (ICC) and the Cobas Test (PCR). In addition, histological specimens were tested with BRAF immunohistochemistry (IHC) and the Cobas Test. All nodules were histologically examined. Fifty-three patients were included in the study. Complete mutation testing was available in 32 patients. The main reason for exclusion was insufficient cell content in the cytological specimen. Twenty-seven nodules were histologically diagnosed as PTC, and 41% (n = 11) of PTCs were BRAF ICC positive. All non-PTC nodules were negative by BRAF ICC. In 26 nodules, all four BRAF tests were concordant, while discordant test results were found in six nodules. ICC was in accordance with the consensus BRAF status in five of these nodules, while BRAF status was undetermined in one nodule. BRAF ICC showed high concordance with the Cobas Test and a low rate of false negative stain. These results indicate that BRAF ICC may be a feasible method for preoperative detection of the BRAF^V600E mutation in patients with PTC.