The atypical thyroid fine-needle aspiration: past, present, and future

Cancer Cytopathol. 2012 Apr 25;120(2):73-86. doi: 10.1002/cncy.20178. Epub 2011 Jul 12.

Abstract

Thyroid fine-needle aspiration has developed into a key test in the evaluation of thyroid nodules. Although the interpretation of thyroid aspirates containing mild abnormalities is problematic, the introduction of the atypia of undetermined significance/follicular lesion of undetermined significance (AUS/FLUS) category in The Bethesda System for Reporting Thyroid Cytopathology (TBSRTC) has helped to delineate such cases in a systematic and clinically meaningful manner. Herein the authors review the cytomorphologic features associated with the AUS/FLUS interpretation and summarize the results of studies conducted since the implementation of TBSRTC.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Biopsy, Fine-Needle*
  • Humans
  • Thyroid Neoplasms / classification*
  • Thyroid Neoplasms / pathology*