Frozen section of thyroid and parathyroid specimens. Review uri icon

Overview

abstract

  • CONTEXT: Preoperative fine-needle aspiration of thyroid lesions has greatly diminished the need for surgical evaluation. However, because thyroid nodules are common lesions, many still require surgical intervention and represent a substantial number of cases that the pathologist encounters in the frozen section laboratory. OBJECTIVE: Comprehensive reviews of frozen section indications, as well as gross, cytologic, and histologic features of the most common and diagnostically important thyroid and parathyroid lesions, are presented to provide a guideline for proper triage and management of these cases in the frozen section laboratory. The most common pitfalls are discussed in an attempt to avoid discordant diagnoses. DATA SOURCES: Thyroid lobectomy, subtotal or total thyroidectomy, and parathyroid biopsy or parathyroidectomy cases are included in this review. CONCLUSIONS: The frozen section evaluation of thyroid and parathyroid lesions remains a highly accurate procedure with a low false-positive rate. Gross inspection, complemented by cytologic and histologic review, provides the surgeon with the rapid, reliable, cost-effective information necessary for optimum patient care.

publication date

  • December 1, 2005

Research

keywords

  • Frozen Sections
  • Parathyroid Diseases
  • Parathyroid Glands
  • Pathology, Surgical
  • Thyroid Diseases
  • Thyroid Gland

Identity

Scopus Document Identifier

  • 28844493496

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.5858/2005-129-1575-FSOTAP

PubMed ID

  • 16329730

Additional Document Info

volume

  • 129

issue

  • 12