Case #16

Frozen section diagnosis: Goiter with regressive changes and squamous metaplasia.

Pathology and comment: The usefulness of frozen section is controversially discussed. We examine all thyroid glands. Two basic procedures are used. We do not make a frozen section if macroscopically no suspicious area could be detected (several goiter nodules with the same macroscopic feature or thyroid gland without nodules or suspicious scars). Single nodes or scars will be always examined on frozen section. This case showed a nodular goiter with squamous epithelium without atypia or inflitrative growth. Squamous metaplasia is a rarity in our experience and should be distinguished from the rare squamous carcinoma.