Cytopathology
Thyroid nodules are a common clinical finding. Classically, thyroid nodules are associated with thyroid carcinomas, but other conditions may present as a nodule as well. The majority of thyroid nodules are benign with the incidence of malignancy being less than 5%. Although ultrasound can classify the lesion as solid, cystic or mixed, ultrasound alone cannot easily differentiate between benign and malignant lesions.
Fine needle aspiration (FNA) is a valuable tool for providing the treating physician an interpretation of benign, malignant, suspicious or indeterminant. New tools are becoming available to improve our ability to further select the patients that go to surgery, by allowing for better characterization of indeterminant nodules. With the increasing number of incidental thyroid nodules that are being discovered, it is now more important than ever that our tools accurately discriminate between benign and malignant lesions. The Department of Pathology, University of Florida, has been involved in research of papillary and follicular thyroid cancers, and also the diagnosis and management of medullary thyroid cancer.
Our expertise is available through consultant services from the Diagnostic Reference Laboratories, a division of the Department of the Pathology, Immunology and Laboratory Medicine at the University of Florida.
Test List
CYTOLOGY, THINPREP PAP TEST (Nicole Massoll, M.D. Edward J. Wilkinson, M.D. Jacqueline A. Knapik, M.D. Anthony Yachnis, M.D. Demaretta Rush, M.D. )
| Test Order Number: | ||
| Methodology: | ThinPrep 2000 System | |
| Specimen Requirements: | This test requires a ThinPrepR PAP TestTM special collection kit that must be ordered separately through DRL customer services at 352-265-9900, or 1-888-375-5227. | |
| Specimen Handling: | Do not use expired kits. | |
| In-house turnaround time: | 1 to 3 days | |
| Reference Values: | ||
| CPT Code: | Dependant on Testing Circumstances |
Cytopathology, General Info. (Edward J. Wilkinson, M.D.; Peter A. Drew, M.D.; Jacqueline A. Knapik, M.D.; Nicole Massoll, M.D.; Christine Orlando, D.O.; Demaretta Rush, M.D.)
| Test Order Number: | ||
| Methodology: | Light microscopy, immunohistochemistry. | |
| Specimen Requirements: | Pre-prepared slides and/or paraffin block; alcohol fixed smears for non-gynecological specimens. | |
| Specimen Handling: | ||
| In-house turnaround time: | 1 to 5 days | |
| Reference Values: | Interpretive report | |
| CPT Code: |
Pap Smear, Conventional (Nicole Massoll, M.D. Edward J. Wilkinson, M.D. Jacqueline A. Knapik, M.D. Anthony Yachnis, M.D. Demaretta Rush, M.D. )
| Test Order Number: | ||
| Methodology: | Conventional Cytologic Evaluation | |
| Specimen Requirements: | Legibly labelled glass slides (patient first & last names, DOB); use pencil | |
| Specimen Handling: | Interpretative Report | |
| In-house turnaround time: | 1 to 3 days | |
| Reference Values: | ||
| CPT Code: | Dependant on Testing Circumstances |