Use of Cytological Smear and Cell block Techniques in The Diagnosis of Thyroid Lesions

Abstract

This study was carried out in Khartoum Hospital during the period from April to July 2012,this study aimed to evaluate the quality of cytological smear and Cell block technique in the diagnosis of thyroid disorders. Thirty specimens were collected from patients with thyroid lesions, from each specimen two smears and cell block were prepared, one stained by Pap stain ( fixed immediately) and the other stained by May Grun Wald Giemsa stain(air dried). While cell block was processed and stained with hematoxylin and eosin, all slides were examined microscopically under light microscope. This study revealed that thyroid diseases increase with advanced ages particularly malignant disorders and affect females 27 (90%) more than males 3(10%), and the two malignant cases were females (6.7%) . Most cases were diagnosed as non-neoplastc conditions 28(93.3%) mainly colloid goiter 26(86.6%). According to staining quality, Papanicolaou stain showed the best staining results compare to May Grun Wald Giemsa stain in evaluation of thyroid disorders. In which 8(26.6%) were evaluated as excellent,7(23.3%) very good,15(50%) good and no weak results were observed, while in MGG majority of smears were evaluated as good staining results 19(63.3%) 4(13.3) very good, 7(23.3%) weak and no excellent staining results were seen.Also this study found that statistically no difference of Pap smear and cell block techniques. Although excellent staining results were evaluated in Papanicolauo stain 8(26.6%) more than cell block 3(10%). Papanicolauo smears were evaluated 7(23.3%) v.good results and 15(50%) good. While cell block were evaluated 9(30%) v.good results, 18(60%) good with no weak results in both. Depend on these findings, study concluded that Pap stain is the best technique for rapid and early diagnosis of thyroid disorders. Cell block and Pap smears may be use as complementry technique to each other.