Abstract
Objective: To estimate the relative frequency, as well as specific pathological features of thyroiditis in thyroidectomy specimens in Mosul. Methods: One hundred (100) cases of histopathologically proved thyroiditis had been evaluated between July 2001 and March 2002. Histopathological examination , serum autoantibody assay, with thyroglobulin immuno-histochemical marker were done. In addition we utilized results of thyroid function tests brought by many patients Results: Hashimoto's thyroiditis (H.T), 31 cases, F:M ratio 30:1, median age 38 years. Eighty percent of the cases were euthyroid. Focal lymphocytic thyroiditis (FLT) was recognized in 66 cases. It was divided into three grades according to the intensity of the lymphocytic infiltration, all cases showed female preponderance with F:M ratios of 9:1, 23:1 and 1:1 for grades I,II and III respectively with a mean age of 37 years. H.T. and FLT shared positivity for serum autoantibody and the presence of other pathological conditions of the thyroid, namely follicular adenoma, Hurthle cell(H.C.) adenoma and papillary carcinoma. Immunohistochemical stain for thyroglobulin monoclonal antibody marker showed strong reactivity within the atrophic follicles in H.T..The remaining three cases include granulomatous, suppurative and Riedel's types of thyroiditis.Conclusions: Thyroiditis is a common condition in Mosul with marked female preponderance, and incidence in adulthood. The two main types encountered were H.T and FLT . Hashimoto's thyroiditis invariably shows Hürthle cell metaplasia either in focal or diffuse pattern of growth, particularly the latter. While H.C., if present, are mainly sporadic in FLT. In H.T., thyroid function is related to the type of follicular epithelial cells and the presence or absence of plasma cells.
