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C cells in normal thyroid aspirates
M A de Lima1, B M Santos, F S Tiveron
1Faculty of Medicine, Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, Minas Gerais, Brazil. lima@mednet.com.br
Insights
This study quantifies C cells in normal thyroid aspirates, finding them in all specimens. Results show C cells are more common in the upper and middle thirds, particularly on the right side, and rare in the isthmus.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Histopathology
- Cytopathology
Background:
- C cells, also known as parafollicular cells, are endocrine cells found in the thyroid gland.
- These cells produce calcitonin, a hormone involved in calcium regulation.
- Quantifying C cells in normal thyroid tissue is crucial for understanding thyroid pathology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish normal C cell counts in thyroid aspirates.
- To determine the distribution of C cells within the normal thyroid gland.
- To provide a baseline for diagnosing C cell hyperplasia and related conditions.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of thyroid aspirate smears from 18 individuals without thyroid disease.
- Aspiration of five samples from each lateral lobe (upper, middle, lower thirds) and the isthmus.
- Immunohistochemical staining using an anticalcitonin monoclonal antibody.
Main Results:
- C cells were detected in all analyzed thyroid aspirates.
- The number of C cells per gland ranged from 3 to 19.
- C cells were predominantly found in the right lobe (53.4%) and left lobe (42.8%), with fewer in the isthmus (3.7%).
- Distribution varied by lobe third, with higher concentrations in the upper and middle thirds.
Conclusions:
- Normal thyroid aspirates contain detectable C cells, confirming histological findings.
- The distribution pattern (more frequent in upper/middle thirds, right side; rare in isthmus) is established.
- This method offers a rapid, precise, and minimally invasive approach for diagnosing C cell hyperplasia and monitoring conditions like Hashimoto's thyroiditis and goiter.
Objective:
To quantify C cells in normal thyroid aspirates.
Study Design:
Smears of 18 glands from patients with no thyroid disease, 8 women and 10 men aged on average 52.8 years, were analyzed. Five samples were aspirated from the upper, middle and lower thirds of each lateral lobe and from the isthmus. Smears were stained with anticalcitonin monoclonal antibody.
Results:
C cells were detected in all specimens, ranging in number from 3 to 19 per gland, with 53.4% of the cells in the right lobe, 42.8% in the left lobe and 3.7% in the isthmus. The aspirates from the right lobe had 0-13 cells in the upper third, 0-9 in the middle third and 0-3 in the lower third. In the left lobe aspirates there were 0-7 cells in the upper third, 0-6 in the middle third and 0-2 in the lower third. One to two C cells were observed in the isthmus in only four cases.
Conclusion:
It is possible to determine the presence of C cells in normal thyroids and confirm studies conducted on histologic material; the cells were more frequently detected in the middle and upper third and mainly on the right side. They were rare in the isthmus. The search for C cells in thyroid aspirates is of great importance because it permits one to confirm rapidly, precisely and minimally invasively cases suspected of C cell hyperplasia, a preneoplastic condition that precedes the development of medullary carcinoma. In addition, the method shows numerical changes in these cells in such conditions as Hashimoto's thyroiditis and colloid goiter, in which the present results could serve as a control.