Background: Amyloid goiter is a very rare clinical entity. It can be confused easily with a neoplastic goiter both clinically and cytologically.
Cases: In four cases of amyloid goiter the diagnosis was established preoperatively by fine needle aspiration cytology. Abundant violet to pink amorphous material with staining characteristics of amyloid was obtained in all cases. This material was morphologically distinct from colloid. Abdominal fat aspiration was done in all four cases. Two of the four abdominal fat aspirates were positive for amyloid.
Conclusion: Attention to the morphology of cells accompanying amyloid allows exclusion of medullary thyroid carcinoma, thereby avoiding unnecessary surgery. Moreover, aspirates from the abdominal pad of fat and the thyroid and salivary glands, when enlarged, are useful in the workup of suspected amyloidosis, especially since it is a safe, easily performed procedure.