Publication:

Role of Alcian blue (pH 2.5) histochemical stain in diagnostic thyroid pathology: how far is it helpful?

Background Controversies and pitfalls are well-known in diagnostic thyroid pathology. Since, the luminal surface of  neoplastic thyroid follicular cells is said to be covered by a glycoproteinaceous material, there is a need  to  investigate the efficacy of  mucin stains like Alcian blue (pH 2.5), which can be used as an adjunctive tool in difficult cases.

Methods 60 thyroidectomy specimens, received at Department of Pathology, were included in this retrospective analytical study. Alcian blue histochemical (pH 2.5) staining was done on representative sections and assessed for positivity.

Results Of the 60 cases analysed, all cases of papillary/nodular hyperplasia (n=10), follicular adenoma (n=14), follicular carcinoma (n=4) and medullary carcinoma (n=1) were negative for Alcian blue. Only 3/16 (18.7 %) cases of classical papillary carcinoma and 2/15 (13.3%) cases of follicular variant of papillary carcinoma showed positivity.

Conclusions We got statistically insignificant results with Alcian blue (pH 2.5) staining, making it unreliable in diagnostic thyroid pathology.