The grading and typing of intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMNs) of the pancreas are challenging for pathologists. We aimed to clarify the points of consistency and disagreement in assessing the grades and types of IPMNs.
Digital slide images of 20 IPMNs were independently assessed by 10 Japanese pathologists, who then held a consensus meeting to discuss the points of disagreement and develop a consensus and recommendations.
The average agreement rates for grade and type were 83.5% (range, 100%-40%) and 82.5% (range, 100%-50%) and the Fleiss\' κ values were 0.567 and 0.636, respectively.
The disagreement points and recommendations were as follows: destructed ductal walls with desquamated neoplastic epithelia or mucin lakes partially lined with neoplastic cells could be invasion; intraductal stromal invasion could be dismissed unless vascular or lymphatic invasion existed; elastica staining may help visualize ducts in colloidal nodules; high-grade can be distinguished from low/intermediate grade by marked nuclear disarrangements and complex architecture in the intestinal papillae; oncocytic papillae are characterized by eosinophilic cells with round disoriented nuclei; high-grade gastric papillae can be distinguished from pancreatobiliary papillae by relatively low but complex architecture; and the most dysplastic papillae should be used to assess type in mixed papillae types.

Introduction The purpose of this study was to evaluate the incidence of incidental differentiated thyroid carcinoma in thyroid operations for a benign preoperative diagnosis, to identify the risk factors involved and to risk stratify the cancer patients according to the 2015 American Thyroid Association (ATA) guidelines. Materials and methods The study was a retrospective review of all thyroidectomy operations performed in a single institution (January 2004 to January 2009). We excluded patients with a preoperative diagnosis of thyroid malignancy. Results Incidental differentiated thyroid carcinoma was diagnosed in 282/1369 patients (21%). The incidental group had a significantly higher number of males (19% vs 14%, P = 0.033) and a higher number of patients with histopathological evidence of thyroiditis (35% vs 25%, P = 0.004). There was a higher number of lymph nodes present in the incidental group but numbers did not reach statistical significance (17% vs 13%, P = 0.079). There were 270 cases in the ATA low-risk group (96%) and 12 cases in the ATA intermediate-risk group (4%). Patients with an ATA intermediate risk had a statistically higher number of capsule invasion, extrathyroidal extension and angioinvasion (P < 0.001, P < 0.001 and P < 0.001, respectively). Overall, 22% of patients with an incidental differentiated thyroid carcinoma should be considered for radioactive iodine 131I treatment. 29 of the 191 patients in American Joint Committee on Cancer stage I should be considered for radioactive iodine treatment (15%). Conclusions Males and patients with thyroiditis are at a higher risk for an incidental differentiated thyroid carcinoma. One of every five of patients diagnosed with cancer will need radioactive iodine treatment, even some patients with stage I disease.

BACKGROUND: Previous guidelines for the management of thyroid nodules and cancers were geared toward adults. Compared with thyroid neoplasms in adults, however, those in the pediatric population exhibit differences in pathophysiology, clinical presentation, and long-term outcomes. Furthermore, therapy that may be recommended for an adult may not be appropriate for a child who is at low risk for death but at higher risk for long-term harm from overly aggressive treatment. For these reasons, unique guidelines for children and adolescents with thyroid tumors are needed.
METHODS: A task force commissioned by the American Thyroid Association (ATA) developed a series of clinically relevant questions pertaining to the management of children with thyroid nodules and differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC). Using an extensive literature search, primarily focused on studies that included subjects ≤18 years of age, the task force identified and reviewed relevant articles through April 2014. Recommendations were made based upon scientific evidence and expert opinion and were graded using a modified schema from the United States Preventive Services Task Force.
RESULTS: These inaugural guidelines provide recommendations for the evaluation and management of thyroid nodules in children and adolescents, including the role and interpretation of ultrasound, fine-needle aspiration cytology, and the management of benign nodules. Recommendations for the evaluation, treatment, and follow-up of children and adolescents with DTC are outlined and include preoperative staging, surgical management, postoperative staging, the role of radioactive iodine therapy, and goals for thyrotropin suppression. Management algorithms are proposed and separate recommendations for papillary and follicular thyroid cancers are provided.
CONCLUSIONS: In response to our charge as an independent task force appointed by the ATA, we developed recommendations based on scientific evidence and expert opinion for the management of thyroid nodules and DTC in children and adolescents. In our opinion, these represent the current optimal care for children and adolescents with these conditions.