Papillary thyroid carcinoma metastasis most probably due to fine needle aspiration biopsy. A case report

Implantation of cancer cells from needle biopsy has been reported in a wide range of malignancies. Fine needle aspiration biopsy has become an accepted method for assessment of thyroid nodules. Local reappearance of thyroid cancer from needle track dissemination is a rare complication of thyroid aspiration. A 45-year-old female developed local recurrence of papillary thyroid carcinoma four years after aspiration biopsy and thyroidectomy. Metastatic deposits appeared in the skin and the sternocleidomastoid muscle. The linear array and the site of metastases implied that seeding most probably resulted from the needle biopsy.