Fine‐needle aspiration of a paraesophageal diverticulum masquerading as a thyroid nodule

Fine‐needle aspiration (FNA) is a widely utilized cost‐effective method for the initial evaluation and triage of thyroid nodules. On occasion, a variety of non‐thyroidal lesions can be mistaken for thyroid nodules on physical examination or in imaging studies and aspirated. Paraesophageal/ pharyngoesophageal diverticula masquerading as a thyroid nodule have been reported in the radiology literature but, as far as we know, not in the cytology literature. We describe FNA of a paraesophageal diverticulum that had been reported as a thyroid nodule on ultrasound. Cytologists should be familiar with this entity and suggest the diagnosis when appropriate. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2006; 34:843–845. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.