Nongyn Cytopathology Flashcards
What do you want to see as proof of a good respiratory sample?
Alveolar macrophages to prove that the terminal airways have been sampled. Just bronchial epithelial cells are not enough as they can be from larger airways
Identify in terms of respiratory cytology
Squamous metaplasia
identify in terms of respiratory cytology?
Atypical squamous metaplasia, nulcear enlargement, dyskaratosis
Identify in terms of respiratory cytology?
Describe?
Cause?
Pulmonary Alveolar Proteinosis
Composed of granular proteinaceous debris (usually more dense then what you would see with pneumocystis jiroveci)
Caused by macrophage function disfunction
Identify in terms of respiratory cytology?
Squamous cell carcinoma, severe atypia necrosis, dyskeratosis
Identify in terms of respiratory cytology….
Features microscopically?
What would you do next?
pneumocystis jiroveci
Will have intraalveolar eosinophillic proteinacious material and may have plasma-cell rich inflammation
GMS stain to highlight the organisms
Identify in terms of respiratory cytology….
pneumocystis jiroveci
What is an encoruaging benign feature in terms of respiratory cells?
The presence of cilia
Identify in terms of respiratory cytology?
Adenovirus infection
Identify in terms of respiratory cytology….
CMV
In what 2 conditions would you see a lot of these?
Identify?
Curschmann’s Spirals
Asthma or bronchiectasis
Identify in terms of respiratory cytology
Strongyloides infection
Identify in terms of respiratory cytology?
What is this associated with?
charcot leyden crystals
Asthma
Identify in terms of respiratory cytology
Creola body (right) next to adenocarcinoma (left). Notice that there are no cilia and the nuclei are larger in adenocarcinoma
Identify in terms of respiratory cytology
Coccidioides spherule
Contains endospores
Identify in terms of repiratory cytology?
Describe?
What is this associated with?
Creola bodies
Round, dense clusters of reactive bronchial cells (represent detached papillary hyperplasia). Should have cilia if you look hard
Asthma
Identify in terms of respiratory cytology?
blastomycosis
Broad based budding
What is this in terms of respiratory cytology?
ferruginous body
Fibers of asbestos coated with an iron-rich material derived from proteins such as ferritin and hemosiderin
Identify in terms of respiratory cytology?
Cryptococcus
The picture on the left is yeasts being engulfed by a histiocyte, on the left it’s a mucincarmine stain
Identify in terms of respiratory cytology?
Describe typical features
What general location does this usually present in the lung?
Adenocarcinoma
Malignant glandular cells without cillia and prominant nucleoli, intracytoplasmic mucin is diagnostic, but not all Adenoca have mucin
Peripherally
What does this represent in the context of respiratory cytology?
Describe?
Mesothelial cells
Arranged in flat, cohesive sheets
Cells have round or oval nuclei and small nuceoli with windows
What does this represent in the context of respiratory cytology?
Describe?
Reactive bronchial cells
Marked variation in nuclear size but retention of cilia
What does this represent in the context of respiratory cytology?
Describe?
Reserve cell hyperplasia
Clusters of benign cells with hyperchromatic nuclei and molding. Notice how small they are compared to the bronchial cells (right), this is a key feature to distinguish from small cell carcinoma
What does this represent in the context of respiratory cytology?
Describe features and pathophysiology?
Type II pneumocyte hyperplasia
Occurs in patients with acute lung injury, Enlarged type II pneumocytes with prominant nucleoli. Be careful as patient’s with lung cancer are often not acutely ill at presentation (like these patients would be)
What does this represent in the context of respiratory cytology?
Describe features and pathophysiology?
Curschmann Spiral
Coils of insspisated (thickened) mucus
What does this represent in the context of respiratory cytology?
Clinical significance?
Spherical structures matching those in the prostate, found in older individuals.
No clinical significance
What does this represent in the context of respiratory cytology?
Alternaria, a pigmented fungus that often contaminates (rarely pathologic)
Identify and describe each type of pulomnary viral infection?
Herpes- Multinucleation, margination, molding
CMV- Large intranuclear , small intracytoplasmic inclusions (basophillic)
Measles- Multinucleation but intranuclear and cytoplasmic inclusions (eosinophillic)
RSV- Multinucleation, Necrosis
Adenovirus- Large intranuclear inclusion filling the entire nucleus, decapitated cilia
Identify in context of respiratory cytology?
Features?
Adenovirus
A large inclusion (basophillic) filling the entire nucleus, decapitated cilia
Identify in context of respiratory cytology?
Features?
CMV
Large intranuclear and/or small cytoplasmic inclusions (basophillic)
Identify in context of respiratory cytology?
Features?
Herpes
Molding, margination, multinucleation
Identify in context of respiratory cytology?
Features?
Herpes
Molding, margination, multinucleation
Identify in context of respiratory cytology?
Features?
RSV
Multi-nucleation
Identify in context of respiratory cytology?
Features?
Pneumocytis Jiroveci
Proteinaceous spheres, GMS reveals the organisms
Identify in context of respiratory cytology?
Features?
Wegener granulomatosis
Granular background debris with necrotic collagen, but no acute inflammation
Identify in context of respiratory cytology?
Features?
Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis
A rare disease caused by accumulation of lipid-rich material within the alveoli. Results from macrophage disfunction.
Identify in context of respiratory cytology?
Features?
Squamous cell carcinoma
Cells with dense, orangeophillic cytoplasm with hyperchromatic nuclei with angulated contours. Also elongated spindle-like cells are common.
Identify in context of respiratory cytology?
Features?
Squamous cell carcinoma
Cells with dense, orangeophillic cytoplasm with hyperchromatic nuclei with angulated contours. Also elongated spindle-like cells are common.
Identify in context of respiratory cytology?
Typical features?
Architecture?
Nuclear shape?
Chromatin?
Cytoplasmic features (3)
Adenocarcinoma
Honeycomb sheets and 3d clusters
Round or irregular nuclei
Finely textured chromatin
Mucin Vacuoles, translucent and foamy cytoplasm
Identify in context of respiratory cytology?
Typical features?
Architecture?
Nuclear shape?
Chromatin?
Cytoplasmic features (2)
Adenocarcinoma
Sheets with a honey-comb like appearence
Round or irregular nuclei
Finely textured chromatin with large nucleoli
Mucin vacuoles, tranlucent/foamy cytoplasm
Identify in context of respiratory cytology?
Features?
Bronchoalveolar adenocarcinoma
Sheets of cells
Pale nuclei
Small nucleoli
Occasional grooves
Occasional pseudoinclusions (arrow)
Identify in context of respiratory cytology? How is this diagnosed?
What tumors are included under this one?
Features?
Large cell carcinoma- An undifferentiated non-small cell tumor that is a diagnosis of exclusion (doesn’t have squamous or glandular architecture)
An umbrella term with many variants, including large cell neuroendocrine tumor (also basoloid carcinoma, lymphoeputheioma like carcinoma, clear cell carcinoma etc)
Identify in context of respiratory cytology?
Features?
Large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma
Prominant nucleoli, carcinoid-like nuclei but with extreme atypia, enlargement, and frequent mitosis
Identify in context of respiratory cytology?
Features?
A common architectural arrangement?
Cytoplasm?
Chromatin pattern?
Typical carcinoid tumor
Rosettes
Coursely granular cytoplasm
Salt-and-pepper
Identify in context of respiratory cytology?
Features (compare to more benign version)
Atypical carcinoid tumor
Compared to typical carcinoid has more pleomorphism, slight enlargement, increased mitosis, focal necrosis, and sometimes prominant nucleoli
Identify in context of respiratory cytology?
Features?
Nuclear size?
Nuclear features?
Cell features?
Small cell carcinoma
Enlarged nuclei compared to typical (twice the size of a lymphocyte)
Nuclear molding with evenly dispersed and powdery chromatin
Tightly pack cells, fragile and frequently degenerated or crushed
Identify in context of respiratory cytology?
Features?
Architecture?
Nucleoli?
Key cytoplasmic feature for this?
Metastatic ductal breast carcinoma
Clusters of tumor cells
Prominant nucleoli
Intracellular mucin
(note, usually need IHC to identify)
What is the standard needed material for adequacy in a thyroid FNA?
A minimum of 6 groups of well-visualized, well stained, well preserved follicular cells with at least 10 cells each
What are the 3 exceptions for thyroid adequacy (do not have at least 6 groups of well preserved follicular cells with 10 cells each)
Any significant cytologic atypia, especially in a solid nodule
Solid nodules with inflammation (could indicate Hashimoto, absess, or granulomatous thyroiditis)
Colloid nodules with abdundant and thick colloid.
How would you diagnose this thyroid FNA?
Unsatisfactory, this is cilliated respiratory epithelium from accidentle puncture of the trachea
How would you diagnose this thyroid FNA?
Unsatisfactory
Extensive air-drying artifact prevents adequate assessment (not well visualized or perserved)
How would you diagnose this thyroid FNA if 6 well-preserved benign follicles were found elsewhere in the slide?
Benign follicular nodule
Thick colloid and benign follicles
How would you diagnose this thyroid FNA if 6 well-preserved benign follicles were found elsewhere in the slide?
Benign follicular nodule
Thick colloid and benign follicles
How would you diagnose this thyroid FNA if at least 6 well-preserved benign follicles were found total in the slide?
Benign, follicular nodule
How would you diagnose? (Thyroid FNA)
What condition could this patient have?
Describe typical cytologic features of this disease?
Architecture?
Cytoplasm (two key features)?
Nuclear size?
Nucleoli?
Benign follicular nodule
Graves disease
Large sheets of cells with abundant cytoplasm
Foamy cytoplasm, “flame cells” can be seen on DQ with marginal cytoplasmic vacuoles with red-pink frayed edges
Enlarged
Often prominant
How would you diagnose? (Thyroid FNA)
What condition could this patient have?
Describe typical cytologic features of this disease?
Architecture?
Cytoplasm (two key features)?
Nuclear size?
Nucleoli?
Benign follicular nodule
Graves disease
Large sheets of cells with abundant cytoplasm
Foamy cytoplasm, “flame cells” can be seen on DQ with marginal cytoplasmic vacuoles with red-pink frayed edges
Enlarged
Often prominant
How would you diagnose? (Thyroid FNA)
What condition could this patient have?
Describe typical cytologic features of this disease?
Benign follicular nodule
Hashimoto’s (lymphocytic) Thyroiditis
A pleomorphic population of lymphoid cells (different sized lymphocytes) with occasional plasma cells, can also have Hurthle cell change
How would you diagnose? (Thyroid FNA)
What condition could this patient have?
Describe typical cytologic features of this disease (including an interesting cytoplasmic change)
Benign follicular nodule
Hashimoto’s (lymphocytic) Thyroiditis
A pleomorphic population of lymphoid cells (different sized lymphocytes) with occasional plasma cells, can also have Hurthle cell change
How would you diagnose? (Thyroid FNA)
What condition could this patient have?
Describe typical cytologic features of this disease?
Benign follicular nodule
Granulomatous (sunacute) Thyroiditis
Epithelioid granulomas, mixed inflammatory cells, benign follicular cells
What situtation would qualify for Atypia of Undetermined Significance for thyroid in terms of….
Microfollicles?
Hurthle cells?
Follicular cell atypia?
Features of papillary carcinoma?
Lymphoid cells?
Sparsely cellular but the cells that are present form microfollicles
Sparsely cellular with mainly Hurtle cells
Atypia uncertain due to possible artifact (larger due to airdrying, smudgy chromatin, etc..)
Features of PTC (pale chromatin, grooves, enlarged nuclei) but the vast majority of the sample has benign follicular cells and/or abdundant colloid
Lymphoid cells are atypical but not so much so that a malignant diagnosis can be reached
How would you diagnose this thyroid FNA?
Why?
Atypia of undetermined significance
Air-drying leads to enlargement and suboptimal nuclear detail, making the diagnosis uncertain
How would you diagnose this Thyroid FNA?
Why?
Atypia of Undetermined Significance
Mostly benign cells but very rare atypical cells are present
What are the diagnostic criteria for Follicular neoplasm/suspicious for follicular neoplasm with thyroid FNA in terms of…..
Specimen cellularity?
Type of follicles?
Cell spacing?
Cell size?
Amount of cytoplasm?
Nuclear shape? Chromicity? Nucleoli?
Colloid?
Normo to hypercellular
Microfollicles (crowded, flat groups of less then 15 folliclar cells arranged in a circle that is at least 2/3s complete)
*Complicated definition but it seems like the idea is that they should not be too large or potentially a small piece of a large follicle (thus it must be 2/3rds complete
Cells are crowded and overlapping
Normal or enlarged
Scant to moderate cytoplasm
Round, hyperchromatic, inconspicuous nucleoli (however, may be enlarged)
Scant to absent colloid
<span>How would you diagnose this thyroid FNA?</span>
<span>Why?</span>
Follicular neoplasm/suspicious for follicular neoplasm
It has small follicles and overlapping nuclei
How would you diagnose this thyroid FNA?
Why?
Follicular neoplasm/suspicious for follicular neoplasm
Small follicles with crowded nuclei, also has enlarged nucleoli
How would you diagnose this thyroid FNA?
Why?
Follicular neoplasm/suspicious for follicular neoplasm
Small follicles with crowded nuclei, also has enlarged nucleoli
How would you diagnose this thyroid FNA?
Why?
Follicular neoplasm/suspicious for follicular neoplasm
Small follicles with crowded nuclei, also has enlarged nucleoli
What are the criteria for Follicular neoplasm, Hurthle cell type (Thyroid) in terms of….
Cytoplasm
Nucleus size, location, shape
Nucleolus
Cell size? N/C ratio?
Finely granular cytoplasm
Enlarged nucleus, centrally or eccentrically located, round shape
Prominant nucleous
Small cell dysplasia- Small cells with high N/C ratio
Large cell dysplasia- At least 2X variability in nuclear size
How would you diagnose (thyroid FNA)?
Why?
Follicular neoplasm/suspicious for follicular neoplasm, Hurtle cell type
This is the large cell dysplasia I think with nuclear size variation, note the abundant oncocytic cytoplasm
How would you diagnose (Thyroid FNA)?
Why?
Follicular neoplasm/suspicious for follicular neoplasm, Hurtle cell type
Hurtle cells in sheets and isolated cells. Note the pleomorphism with the large cells with more cytoplasm, and the small cells with less.
How would you diagnose? (Thyroid FNA)
Why?
Follicular neoplasm/suspicious for follicular neoplasm, Hurtle cell type
Loosely cohesive cells with markedly enlarged Hurthle cells and marked variation in size (large cell dysplasia), also note the large nuceoli
What is the diagnostic criteria for “Suspicious for Papillary Thyroid Cancer” in terms of….
Pattern A (Patchy nuclear changes pattern)?
Pattern B (incomplete nuclear changes)?
Pattern C (sparsely cellular pattern)?
Pattern D (Cystic degeneration pattern)?
Pattern A- Moderately to highly cellular with mostly benign follicular cells with some cells intermixed with features of PTC EXCEPT that pseduinclusions are rare or absent
Pattern B- Variably cellularity. nucleai are enlarged with pallor and grooves, but LACK NUCLEAR MEMBRANE IRREGULARITY AND NUCLEAR MOLDING. Pseudoinclusions are rare or absent
Pattern C- Features of PTC but a very sparsely cellular sample
Pattern D- Cells have some but not all features of PTC (often lacking pseudoinclusions). There is the presence of hemosiderin laden-macrophages thus implying a cystic degeneration process
What is the diagnostic criteria for “Suspicious for Medullary carcinoma” (Thyroid) in terms of..
Cellularity?
Cell cohesiveness?
N/C ratio?
Sparsely to moderately cellular
discohesive cells
High N/C ratio
The point is, this one could be confused for a lymphoma as well, that’s why it’s not definite
How you you diagnose? (Thyroid FNA)
Most cells in this sample looked benign FYI
Why?
Suspicious for PTC
Some features of PTC are there (enlargement, powdery chromatin, grooves) but most cells in this sample looked benign