الفهرس 
IntroductionOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
Abstract
Background: One common diagnostic dilemma is the distinction between FVPTC and other follicular neoplasms. The distinction between follicular adenoma and minimally invasive follicular carcinoma may impose assessment difficulties.
Aim: To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of galectin-3 and CD56 in the differential diagnosis of thyroid nodules.
Materials and Methods: 115 cases classified as, 10 cases of NH, 33 FA, 62 differentiated thyroid carcinomas (DTC), including {30 cases of PTC, and 32 FTC}and finally 10 cases of ATC.
Results: Galectin-3 expression was significantly higher in DTCs than in NH or FA, with high sensitivity (95.2%) and specificity (90.7%) in the distinction between them. The positive predictive value (PPV), the negative predictive value (NPV), and the accuracy were (93.7%), (92.9%) and (93.3%) respectively. There was significant difference in galectin-3 expression between PTC and NH or FA. Galectin-3 was highly sensitive (100%) and specific (90%) for distinction of PTC from NH with (96.7%) PPV, (100%) NPV, and (97.5%) accuracy. The sensitivity and specificity in distinguishing PTC from FA were (100%) and (90.9%), respectively. The PPV, the NPV, and the accuracy were (90.9%), (100%) and (95.2%) respectively. Moreover, galectin-3 expression was significantly higher in FTC than in FA with high sensitivity (90.6%) and specificity (90.9%) in discrimination between them. The PPV, the NPV and the accuracy were (90.6%), (90.9%) and (90.8%) respectively. Galectin-3 showed positive expression in all 10 cases of ATC. Significant differences in CD56 expression were noted between PTC and other thyroid lesions (NH, FA and FTC), with exception of ATC with high sensitivity (96.7%) and specificity (98.7%) in distinction between them. CD56 showed (96.7%) PPV, (98.7%) NPV and (98.1%) accuracy.
Conclusions: Galectin-3 is a very helpful marker in discrimination of DTC from NH or FA. Furthermore, absent or reduced CD56 expression in PTC is very helpful in discrimination of it, especially FVPTC, from other thyroid lesions, except for ATC.
Recommendations: The use of galectin-3 and CD56 in the differential diagnosis of thyroid nodules.