Diagnostic value of AgNOR staining in thyroid cytology.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the value of the argyrophil nucleolar organizer region (AgNOR) technique on scrape cytology of thyroid lesions.

STUDY DESIGN

AgNOR counts were evaluated in smears of 70 thyroid lesions that were sent for frozen section and included 15 cases of follicular adenoma, 10 cases of follicular carcinoma, 13 cases of papillary carcinoma, 23 cases of nodular goiter and 9 cases of Hashimoto's thyroiditis. Forty-one slides out of 70 were freshly prepared, and 29 slides had been previously stained with hematoxylin and eosin and then destained with alcohol. The number of AgNOR dots was recorded for 50 cells, and the mean number was calculated.

RESULTS

The mean AgNOR counts were statistically significantly higher in malignant lesions in comparison to benign lesions.

CONCLUSION

AgNOR staining could be of use in cytologic material from thyroid lesions.