[Objective] To investigate the application value of BRAF(VE1) immunohistochemistry combined with fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) examination in the diagnosis of Hashimoto's thyroiditis with thyroid nodules.[Methods] 226 cases of thyroid nodules with Hashimoto's thyroiditis undergoing FNAC examination and surgical resection at Rizhao Central Hospital from January 2021 to December 2023 were selected and classified according to the Bethesda reporting system. Cell blocks were prepared using residual liquid based preservation solution and subjected to BRAF(VE1) immunohistochemical staining. Based on the histopathological results, the selected cases were divided into malignant group and benign group. The expression of BRAF(VE1) in cell block immunohistochemistry staining was observed in both groups and compared to verify the application value of BRAF(VE1) immunohistochemistry combined with FNAC in the diagnosis of Hashimoto's thyroiditis with thyroid nodules.[Results] Postoperative routine pathology showed 164 cases of papillary thyroid carcinoma and 62 cases of Hashimoto's thyroiditis nodules.Among the 226 nodules,there were 23 cases (10.2%) of Bethesda class II,67 cases (29.6%) of class III, 2 cases (0.9%) of Class IV, 48 cases (21.2%) of Class V, and 86 cases (38.1%) of Class VI. Among 164 malignant nodules, 113 cases (68.9%) were positive for BRAF(VE1) immunohistochemical staining in the biopsy fluid based cell blocks, while 51 cases (31.1%) were negative; Among 62 benign nodules, there were 0 positive cases and 62 negative cases (100%) of BRAF(VE1) immunohistochemical staining in the biopsy fluid based cell blocks. The expression rate of BRAF(VE1) in the malignant group was significantly higher than that in the benign group (68.9% vs 0, P=0.000).The sensitivity of FNAC group, BRAF (VE1) immunohistochemistry group and combined detection group were 78.0%, 68.9% and 90.9%, respectively.The accuracies were 81.4%, 77.4% and 90.7%, respectively.The specificity was 90.3%, 100% and 90.3%, respectively.. The sensitivity and accuracy of the combined detection group were higher than those of the individual detection group, and the differences were statistically significant (sensitivity P=0.001, P=0.000; Accuracy P=0.004, P=0.000).[Conclusion] The application value of cell block BRAF(VE1) immunohistochemistry combined with FNAC in the diagnosis of Hashimoto's thyroiditis with thyroid nodules is significant, as it can improve the sensitivity and accuracy of cytological diagnosis of thyroid cancer. |