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Solid and cystic ultimobranchial body remnants in the thyroid.
M E Beckner1, J J Shultz, T Richardson
1Department of Pathology, University of Alabama, Birmingham.
Archives of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine
|October 1, 1990
Summary
Ultimobranchial body remnants are common in neonatal thyroids, often appearing cystic. Their nuclear features can mimic papillary thyroid carcinoma, necessitating their inclusion in differential diagnoses of small thyroid lesions.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Surgical Pathology
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- The ultimobranchial body (UBB) is a transient structure during embryonic development.
- UBB remnants are frequently identified in adult thyroid glands, often misclassified.
- Understanding UBB remnant morphology is crucial for accurate thyroid pathology diagnosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the incidence and characterize the morphology of ultimobranchial body (UBB) remnants in neonatal thyroid glands.
- To compare the morphological features of UBB remnants with papillary thyroid carcinoma.
Main Methods:
- Serial sectioning of 18 neonatal thyroid glands.
- Morphological analysis of identified UBB remnants.
- Comparative nuclear feature assessment with follicular cells and papillary carcinoma nuclei.
Main Results:
- High incidence rate (89%) of UBB remnants observed.
- 55% of UBB remnants exhibited cystic features, challenging the 'solid cell nests' designation.
- Ciliated columnar cells were present in 23% of remnants.
- UBB cell nuclei shared features with papillary thyroid carcinoma nuclei (enlarged, oval, finely dispersed chromatin).
Conclusions:
- UBB remnants are a common finding in neonatal thyroids with diverse morphology, including cystic changes.
- Morphological and nuclear similarities between UBB remnants and papillary thyroid carcinoma highlight diagnostic challenges.
- Recognition of UBB remnant features is essential for the differential diagnosis of minute thyroid entities.