Melissa Yee-Chang

Self-clotting method improves cell block preparation: Clotting Improves Cell Block Preparation

The success of cell block preparation is crucial for ancillary diagnostic tests in cytology. However, achieving an optimal cell block can be challenging. The current study describes a self‐clotting‐based technique for fine‐needle aspiration (FNA) cell block preparations and evaluates its usefulness in comparison with the conventional needle wash technique.

Cytomorphologic features of echinococcal cysts

Department of Pathology, NYU School of Medicine, New York, New York Correspondence Yan Shi, MD, PhD, Department of Pathology, New York University School of Medicine, NYC Health1Hospitals | Bellevue, 462 First Avenue, Hospital Building, Rm 4S16, New York, NY 10016. Email: yan.shi@nyumc.org Funding Information There has been no significant financial support (grants or other funding) for this work that could have influenced its outcome. K E YWORD S aspiration cytology, echinococcus granulosus, hydatid cyst, lung, liver

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) in cervical cancer screening tests: A series of 8 cases and review of the literature

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a ubiquitous infection typically affecting over 50% of the US population by age 40. We report 8 cases of CMV infections detected in cervical cancer screening tests, the largest series of cases thus far reported in gynecologic cytology specimens.

Does Noninvasive Follicular Thyroid Neoplasm With Papillary-Like Nuclear Features (NIFTP) Have a Unique Molecular Profile?

Objectives Recognizing preoperative characteristics of noninvasive follicular thyroid neoplasm with papillary-like nuclear features (NIFTP) is important for clinical management. Therefore, we assessed presurgical NIFTP molecular profiles using fine-needle aspiration (FNA) material. Methods Presurgical FNA reports of 39 surgically confirmed NIFTP cases from January 2013 through May 2017 were assessed for Afirma and ThyroSeq results. Results Twenty-one of 39 NIFTP nodules were preoperatively tested with Afirma with two benign and 19 suspicious results. Twenty-seven of 39 nodules were tested with ThyroSeq (nine of 39 had both Afirma and Thyroseq): 18 (67%) had RAS mutations (13 NRAS, four HRAS, one KRAS), and three of 18 had multiple alterations (NRAS + TP53, n = 1; NRAS + PTEN, n = 2). BRAF T599_R603 + EIF1AX mutation (n = 1), PTEN mutation (n = 1), MET overexpression (n = 1), PAX8/PPARG fusion (n = 3), and THADA/IGF2BP3 fusion (n = 3) comprised the remainder. Conclusions NIFTP cases most commonly displayed suspicious Afirma results and RAS mutations on ThyroSeq, lacking aggressive/BRAF-V600E-like mutations. While NIFTP remains a surgical entity, the lack of aggressive/BRAF-V600E-like mutations can aid in determining the extent of surgery.

Educational Case: Head and Neck Neoplasia: Salivary Gland Tumors

The following fictional case is intended as a learning tool within the Pathology Competencies for Medical Education (PCME), a set of national standards for teaching pathology. These are divided into three basic competencies: Disease Mechanisms and Processes, Organ System Pathology, and Diagnostic Medicine and Therapeutic Pathology. For additional information, and a full list of learning objectives for all three competencies, see http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/2374289517715040.

Can p40 (Polyclonal) Replace p63 (Clone 4A4) in the Cytologic Diagnosis of Pulmonary Non–Small Cell Carcinoma?

Objectives Differentiating squamous cell carcinoma from adenocarcinoma (ACA) in cytology specimens can be challenging. Recent literature showed p40 had higher specificity than p63 for this purpose. Methods We identified 190 cytology cases with p40 (polyclonal) and p63 (monoclonal clone 4A4) immunohistochemistry, including specimens from fine-needle aspirations (FNAs) and effusions. Results ACAs of lung origin stained for p40 and p63 in 21% and 20% of cases, respectively, regardless of specimen site. Among lung FNAs of primary pulmonary ACAs (n = 42), 14% were positive for p40 and 24% were positive for p63. Of the 20 pulmonary ACAs in effusions, more cases showed p40 positivity (40%) compared with FNAs, whereas p63 were positive in 15%. Among metastatic ACAs from other sites (n = 14), more cases were positive for p40 than p63. Conclusions Polyclonal p40 yields a level of false positivity in ACAs similar to p63, which is highest in effusions and is not limited to lung origin.

Pancreatic amyloidoma associated with elevated CA19-9: A case diagnosed by endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy

Keywords: amyloid; pancreas; endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration; cytology; CA19-9