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Updated: Jan 30, 2026
Impression Cytology of the Lid Wiper Area
Published on: August 9, 2016
Cytological diagnosis of papillary thyroid carcinoma with tall cells on ThinPrep liquid-based cytology
Jordan E Baum1, Lauren Soong1, Theresa Scognamiglio1
1Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, 525 East 68th Street, New York, New York.
Background:
The tall cell variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC-TC) has been associated with aggressive features including extrathyroidal extension, higher rate of lymph node and distant metastases, and higher recurrence rate. We aimed to evaluate the cytomorphologic features of PTC-TC on ThinPrep (TP) along with its diagnostic efficacy to detect PTC-TC.
Methods:
Preoperative cytology samples from 30 cases of histologically-proven PTC-TC and 30 classical PTC controls were selected for this study. TP preparations were evaluated for varying architectural and cytomorphologic features.
Results:
Tall cells were present in the majority of PTC-TC cases and were located at the periphery of cell clusters and as single cells. Cytoplasmic cuff along the periphery of cell clusters and soap-bubble pseudoinclusions were very specific features of PTC-TC, when present. PTC-TC cases were more likely to show abundant oncocytic cytoplasm and distinct cell borders. Cytoplasmic tails were more likely to be present and more numerous in PTC-TC. The presence of nuclear grooves, papillary architecture, and giant cells were not reliable distinguishing features of PTC-TC vs controls.
Conclusion:
Our results indicate that tall cell cytomorphologic and architectural features in PTC are identifiable on TP.
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