Our approach to follicular patterned lesions of the thyroid
Virginia Livolsi 1 and Zubair W Baloch 1*
1 University of Pennsylvania
* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: baloch{at}mail.med.upenn.edu.
Accepted 6 June 2006
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Abstract |
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According to the American Heritage Dictionary "controversy" means a dispute, especially a public one, between sides holding opposing views.1 Thus, if one searches for controversy or controversial in thyroid pathology the topic of "follicular patterned lesions of the thyroid" meets the definition. This is evident by many articles including original studies and reviews that have been published on this single subject during the last decade.2-6 This lack of meeting of minds on how to diagnose follicular lesions of the thyroid has led to an increase in the number of cases sent to experts for second opinion. We believe to better understand this controversy and to apply any knowledge learned to one’s own practice of pathology, we need to educate ourselves about the history of the follicular lesions of thyroid as well as what it means to clinicians.
In this review we will provide and explain the basis of our diagnostic approach to these lesions. Though, these maybe perceived as biases by some, they are based on published data and our experiences.
Key Words:
Follicular, Papillary, Thyroid, Uncertain malignant potential, carcinoma
