Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) has many subtypes. A rare subtype consisting of papillary projections covered by cells oncocytic in character has been defined in recent years. Oncocytes with characteristic nuclear features of PTC are seen in the thyroid aspiration cytology of this subtype. In the cytological diagnosis, this variant could be confused with other oncocytic lesions of the thyroid. We discuss here the cytological and histopathological features of the oncocytic variant of PTC diagnosed in the aspiration biopsy and thyroid resection material in a 42-year-old female patient.

Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) has many subtypes. A rare subtype consisting of papillary projections covered by cells oncocytic in character has been defined in recent years. Oncocytes with characteristic nuclear features of PTC are seen in the thyroid aspiration cytology of this subtype. In the cytological diagnosis, this variant could be confused with other oncocytic lesions of the thyroid. We discuss here the cytological and histopathological features of the oncocytic variant of PTC diagnosed in the aspiration biopsy and thyroid resection material in a 42-year-old female patient.