Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes 2010; 118(1): 19-21
DOI: 10.1055/s-0028-1102945
Article

© J. A. Barth Verlag in Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Clear Cell Follicular Adenoma of the Thyroid – A Challenge in Intra-operative Diagnostics

C. C. Westhoff 1 , S. Hoffmann 2 , P. J. Barth 1
  • 1Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Giessen and Marburg GmbH, Medical Faculty of Philipps University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
  • 2Department of Visceral-, Thoracic- and Vascular Surgery, University Hospital Giessen and Marburg GmbH, Medical Faculty of Philipps University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
Further Information

Publication History

received 20.06.2008 first decision 30.10.2008

accepted 30.10.2008

Publication Date:
20 February 2009 (online)

Zoom Image

Abstract

Pure clear cell lesions of the thyroid gland are rare and prone to pose severe diagnostic challenges. We report the case of a 61-year-old man with a clear cell adenoma of the thyroid. The patient presented with a hypoechoic thyroid nodule. Fine needle aspiration cytology rendered the primary diagnosis of a follicular neoplasia, and right thyroid lobectomy was performed. By intra-operative frozen section, the diagnosis given was clear cell lesion of unknown malignant potential. Based on the light microscopic findings and the immunohistochemical profile, the lesion was diagnosed as clear cell follicular adenoma of the thyroid. A follicular thyroid lesion presenting with clear cell changes in fine needle aspiration cytology or intra-operative frozen section consultation constitutes a diagnostic challenge to every surgical pathologist. As immunohistochemistry of cytologic specimens is hampered by several methodological problems, any thyroid lesion with clear cell features warrants further histologic assessment to render the correct diagnosis.

Crossref Cited-by logo
Article Citations