RSNA 2014 

Abstract Archives of the RSNA, 2014


NRS433

Can Galectin-3 be a Useful Marker for Papillary Thyroid Microcarcinoma?

Scientific Posters

Presented on December 3, 2014
Presented as part of NRS-WEA: Neuroradiology Wednesday Poster Discussions

Participants

Hye Mi Gweon MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose
Eun Ju Son MD, PhD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose
Ji Hyun Youk MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose
Jeong-Ah Kim MD, PhD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

PURPOSE

To determine the utility of galectin-3 in preoperative fine-needle aspiration (FNA) cytology for papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC)

METHOD AND MATERIALS

Between June 2011 and December 2012, 530 consecutive patients with PTMC who underwent surgery and preoperative ultrasonography (US)-guided FNA with galectin-3 immunostaining were reviewed. Galectin-3 considered positive if the percentage of tumor cells showing definite cytoplasmic immunostaining exceeded 5 %. US features and clinicopathologic results were compared between PTMC with galectin-3 positive and negative. Fisher exact test or chi-square test was used for statistical analysis. The median tumor size was 6 mm (range, 1-10 mm).

RESULTS

Of the 530 PTMCs, 203 (38.3%) PTMCs had galectin-3 positive in preoperative FNA samples. There was no significant difference in US features between galectin-3 positive and negative PTMCs. There was no significant correlation in extracapsular invasion (43.8% vs. 40.1%, p=0.415) and lymph node metastasis (27.1% vs. 24.2%, p=0.473).

CONCLUSION

The sensitivity of galectin-3 in FNA samples was low (38.3%) in PTMC. Preoperative expression of galectin-3 in FNA cytology did not correlate with US findings nor associate with pathological parameters such as extracapsular invasion and LN metastasis in PTMC.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE/APPLICATION

Previous published studies reported high sensitivity and diagnostic accuracy of galectin-3 for distinguishing benign and malignant thyroid nodules and significant correlation with galectin-3 expression and clinicopathologic results. However, galectin-3 in FNA cytology may be not useful for small thyroid nodule less than 10 mm.

Cite This Abstract

Gweon, H, Son, E, Youk, J, Kim, J, Can Galectin-3 be a Useful Marker for Papillary Thyroid Microcarcinoma?.  Radiological Society of North America 2014 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, - ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2014/14010156.html