Histological changes observed in the thyroid glands of autopsy cases
1977 Volume 53 Issue 6 Pages 752-764
Details
1977 Volume 53 Issue 6 Pages 752-764
Histological changes of the thyroid glands in autopsy cases were studied for comparison with the changes observed in surgical materials. Three hundred and eleven thyroid glands from patients who died from causes other than thyroid diseases were studied. The results can be summarized by dividing them into two groups.
Diffuse changes
Colloid escape (56 cases) : Thyroidal colloid flowing from ruptured follicles was found in interfollicular stroma. The colloid was in contact with interfollicular stroma and was observed to be disappearing among collagen fibers.
Lymphocyte infiltration (11 cases) : Small foci of lymphocyte infiltration were observed in interfollicular stroma. Lymphocyte infiltration was most frequently found in the cases between 40 to 70 years of age.
Adenomatous goiter (4 cases) : All of them showed features of adenomatous goiter earlier than that found in surgical materials.
Chronic thyroiditis (1 case) : This case was classified as a lymphoid type which showed diffuse infiltration of lymphocyte without any changes of follicular epithelium.
Localized lesions
Solid cell nest (14 cases) : Solid cell nests were observed among thyroid follicles and showed a positive reaction for Grimerius' stain in 9 out of 14 cases.
Cancer (10 cases) : All of them measured under 1cm in diameter and were papillary adenocarcinoma. Seven cases showed encapsulated growth and three non-encapsulated sclerosis.
Adenoma (5 cases) : Four of them were classified as colloid adenoma and the other as Hürthle cell adenoma. All of them measured under 1cm in diameter.
Granulomatous lesion (7 cases) : Histiocytes and polynuclear giant cells were collected within a single follicle. Colloid was observed to be decreased. These findings were different from that of subacute thyroiditis.
Scar (4 cases) : Irregular-shaped scars were found in the thyroid gland, but the etiology was unknown.
Ectopic thymus (4 cases) : Thymus tissue was found on the surface of the thyroid gland. One of the tissues co-existed with parathyroid tissue.
