This course will cover thyroid fine needle aspiration in depth, including discussions of the newly-published Bethesda System/NCI diagnostic criteria and reporting framework as well as the current management of patients with a thyroid nodule. Up-to-date information will be presented on ancillary testing, including immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry, and molecular testing.

Case-based discussions will be preceded by an introductory, didactic portion discussing the utility of thyroid FNA, with a detailed discussion of the Bethesda System for Reporting Thyroid Cytopathology. Case vignettes and cytology samples will be presented and used to introduce more detailed discussions of the cytologic features of the common and less common mass-forming lesions of the thyroid gland. Less than optimal samples and atypical samples will be discussed as well as benign diseases, follicular-patterned lesions, and thyroid malignancies.

Upon completion of the course, participants will be able to state concisely the role of thyroid FNA in the care of the patient with a thyroid nodule; outline the elements of a proper thyroid FNA procedure, including helpful pre-procedural information, the merits of different cytologic preparations, and the role of on-site evaluation; list the six general categories of The Bethesda System; outline the definitions and diagnostic criteria for each diagnostic category with their differential diagnoses; and articulate the proper use of ancillary testing.

The course is designed for residents, general pathologists, cytopathologists, and pathologists with special interest in thyroid pathology. Pre-registrants will be able to view case histories and electronic images of cases to be discussed on the USCAP website prior to the meeting. A syllabus and lecture Powerpoint files will be available at the time of and after the course.

(NEW COURSE) This course may be used for CME credits or SAM credits.