A Correlation between the Function and the Aspiration Cytology in Chronic Thyroiditis

Abstract

The correlation between the function and the aspiration cytology in chronic thyroiditis was studied.
In 184 cases of chronic thyroiditis (hyperthyroid state : 19 cases, euthyroid state : 113 cases, hypothyroid state : 52 cases) and 36 cases of hyperthyroidism, aspiration biopsy was performed by a fine needle of 22 gauge. The smears were stained with May-Grünwald Giemsa and Papanicolaou's stain. In all specimens, the cytological investigations were done as for follicular epithelial cells, oxyphilic changes of follicular epithelial cells and nonepithelial cells per se. The relationships between the thyroid function and cytological pictures in chronic thyroiditis were studied.
The following conclusions were obtained by this study :
1. Compared to hyperthyroidism, chronic thyroiditis has the following characteristic cytological picture :
i) Hyperplasia of small follicular cells with many lymphoid cells ii) Oxyphilic changes in follicular cells, lymphoid cells, plasma cells and reticulum cells
2. As for the correlation between the cytological findings and the thyroid function or thyroid antibodies, the following conclusions were obtained :
i) There is a negative correlation between the grade of the number of lymphocytes and T₇ levels in chronic thyroiditis. (p<0.01)
ii) There is a positive correlation between the grade of the number of oxyphilic cells or lymphocytes and the titer of the microsome test (MCHA). (p<0.005)