Cardiac tamponade in Hashimoto's disease

Myxedematous pericardial effusions, occurring in about one-third of patients with hypothyroidism, usually do not cause symptoms and regress slowly with hormonal treatment. We report a cardiac tamponade inaugural of a Hashimoto's disease.

[Detection of cytokeratin 19 and thyroperoxidase expressions in the diagnosis of thyroid diseases]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the value of detecting cytokeratin 19(CK19) and thyroperoxidase (TPO) expression in the diagnosis of thyroid diseases including thyroid carcinoma, multinodular goiter, adenoma and Hashimoto thyroiditis.

METHODS

SP immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expressions of CK19 and TPO in paraffin-embedded thyroid tissue specimens obtained from 62 patients with thyroid carcinoma (30 with papillary carcinomas, 22 with follicular variant of papillary carcinomas, and 10 with follicular carcinomas) and 44 with benign thyroid diseases (including 22 with multinodular goiters, 14 with adenoma, and 8 with Hashimoto thyroiditis).

RESULTS

CK19 expression was detected in 96.8% of the thyroid carcinomas and in 4.5% of benign thyroid diseases, demonstrating a significant difference in CK19 expression between the two thyroid diseases (P<0.01). TPO expression was found in 100% of benign thyroid disease and in 3.2% of thyroid carcinoma, showing also a significant difference between them (P<0.01).

CONCLUSION

CK19 and TPO can be important molecular markers for diagnosing thyroid carcinoma.

[Primary lymphoma of the thyroid--diagnostic and treatment problems. The case report]

The authors present the case of primary malignant thyroid lymphoma and problems with distinguishing between Hashimoto's thyroiditis and primary thyroid lymphoma. Primary malignant thyroid lymphoma (PMTL) is a rare disease and difficult to diagnose. The appearance of PMTL may be preceded by Hashimoto's thyroiditis. The biopsy is useful but often only surgical treatment allows to establish diagnosis. The treatment of PMTL includes surgical treatment, chemo- and radiotherapy. The prognosis depends on the disease period.

Hashimoto's thyroiditis in a patient with non-Hodgkin's thyroid lymphoma of B cell type and originated from mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT): A case report

This is a rare case report of Hashimoto's thyroiditis in a patient with MALT thyroid lymphomas. The patient presented with an enlarged neck mass over the past 10 years and had rapidly enlarged neck mass with compressive symptoms for about 2 months. Examination by an endocrinologist found that the size of the thyroid gland was 120 gm with firm consistency and with no tenderness. She had clinical hypothyroidism and no abnormality of neither lymphadenopathy nor any masses. She was diagnosed with Hashimoto's thyroiditis because her thyroids function lest showed primary hypothyroidism [(FT4 = 0.76 ng/dl (0.93-1.71), FT3 = 1.76 pg/ml (1.8-4.6), TSH = 8.24 mIU/L (0.27-4.21)] with antimicrosomal antibody positive titers (> 1:409,600): Diagnosis of primary thyroid lymphoma was diagnosed by FNA and total thyroidectomy was performed. About 1 day after total thyroidectomy, she developed clinical hypocalcemia and the laboratory showed that calcium was = 6.2 ng/dl (8.5-10.1), phosphorus = 6.4 mg/dl (2.5-4.9). After 10% calcium gluconate replacement, her hypocalcemic symptoms didn't appear and she received oral replacement of calcium carbonate and vitamin D before discharge. During OPD follow up, her pathological report from Maha Chakri Sirinthorn Medical Center was a diagnosis of Non Hodgkin's lymphoma, low grade and the latter 1 week immunohistochemically staining of tumor markers indicated B-cell type (CD20) with MALT (AE1/AE3) lymphoma. Staging of the disease was stage IE and she received one course of CHOP (Cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristin and prednisolone). After one course of CHOP regimen, she was healthy and the hematologist ordered two courses of CHOP and external radiation.

[Optimalization of methodical repertoire for laboratory diagnostic of autoimune diseases of the thyroid gland--aspiration cytology versus histology (cytodiagnostic accuracy)]

In this study was evaluated the rate of cytodiagnostic accuracy of Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) in smears prepared from thyroid fine-needle aspirates in 72 cases and of focal lymphocytic thyroiditis (FLT) in 101 cases. The cytodiagnostic accuracy of Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) was 75% and 20% in case of focal lymphocytic thyroiditis (FLT). In case of focal lymphocytic thyroiditis (FLT) the cytodiagnostics of autoimmune lymphocytic diseases of thyroid gland apears to have very low ability.

Cerebellar subacute syndrome due to corticosteroid-responsive encephalopathy associated with autoimmune thyroiditis (also called "Hashimoto's encephalopathy")

The corticosteroid-responsive encephalopathy associated with autoimmune thyroiditis (the so-called "Hashimoto's Encephalopathy") is a rare disorder with multiple symptomatology, breaking out with an acute or subacute onset and having a relapsing course, not correlated to thyroid hormone levels, with autoimmune pathogenesis, and usually associated with Hashimoto's thyroiditis. In this paper, we report on a case study regarding a 46 year-old woman showing a subacute course cerebellar syndrome, associated with Hashimoto's thyroiditis, diagnosed as "Hashimoto's encephalopathy". The possible pathogenesis and the major aspects of the differential diagnostic sector are discussed with particular reference to an ataxic syndrome caused by a progressive non-familial adult onset cerebellar degeneration (PNACD), associated with the thyroid disease itself.

[Place of thyroglobulin antibodies assay in laboratory diagnostic of autoimmune thyroid diseases]

Tyroglobulin and thyroid peroxidase antibodies have been estimated in patients with thyroid autoimmune diseases. In a group of 109 patients with Hashimoto's thyroidities 85.53% and 78.89% were positive for Tyroglobulin antibodies and anti-TPO antibodies respectively. The anti-Tg antibodies has not been detected in 14.67% and anti-TPO in 21.1% patients. Both antibodies have not been detected in 1.83% of patients. In a group of 79 patients with Graves' disease 62.02 and 91.13% were positive for anti-Tg and anti-TPO antibodies respectively. The anti-Tg antibodies has not been detected in 37.97% and anti-TPO in 8.66% patients. Both antibodies have not been detected in one patients with exophtalmos (1.26%). Our results indicate that anti-tyroglobulin antibodies should be estimated only in patients suspected for thyroid autoimmune disease and negative for thyroid peroxidase antibodies.

Chronic autoimmune thyroid disease in children and adolescents in the years 1999-2004 in Lower Silesia, Poland

The aim of the study was to analyze data related to chronic autoimmune thyroid disease at diagnosis and at follow-up of children and adolescents in Lower Silesia in the years 1999-2004. Age, gender, incidence of thyroid disease in the family, clinical presentation, hormonal findings, levels of thyroid antibodies, results of ultrasonography, and fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) were recorded. 100 children, 10 boys and 90 girls, were included in the analysis. The mean age at diagnosis was 12.3+/-2.3 years and at last examination 14.9+/-1.9 years. At diagnosis, increased levels of TSH without overt hypothyroidism was observed in 26 children. In 11 children hyperthyroidism was detected whereas 63 children were euthyroid. An increased level of thyroid peroxidase antibodies was observed in 65% of the children. Ultrasonography was characteristic for Hashimoto's thyroiditis in all patients. Fine needle biopsy was performed when there were diagnostic difficulties (35% children). Thus, in all the children the diagnosis of Hashimoto's thyroiditis was ascertained either by high antibody titer or FNAB. Associated diseases were observed in 33% of the children. Thyroid disease in the family was present in 25% of the children. There was a gradual decline in the number of new cases presented from 1999 to 2004. The reason for this decline remains speculative.

[Hashimoto's thyroiditis: indications for surgical treatment]

BACKGROUND

Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) is the prototypical example of autoimmune thyroiditis and the primary way to treat the disease is conservative. However, there are patients with HT, in which surgical treatment is mandatory.

AIM

Summarizing our institutional experience, to formulate the indications for surgical treatment of Hashimoto's thyroiditis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

132 patients (131 females and 1 man, mean age 45 years) underwent surgery for HT in the period from 1.01.1987-1.01.2004. Serum thyroid hormone levels, autoimmune and ultrasonographic findings and FNA biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of HT in 115 (87.1%) patients. In the remaining 17 (12.9%) cases, the diagnosis was based on the intraoperative findings as well as on the histological results. From 1987 to 2002 year 110 patients with HT underwent surgery and for the period 01.01.2003 to 01.01.2004 - 22 (54.6%) patients 10 (45.4%) underwent conventional thyroid resection and 12 (54.6%)--argon plasma resection (APR/introduced in our practice since 2003). The indications for surgery were: thyromegaly with compression symptoms, non-responding to L-thyroxin treatment; nodular form of HT with dominant thyroid nodul over 2 cm in size; suspicion for neoplasm or an unsightly neck appearance due to a large goiter.

RESULTS

17(12.9%) patients with diffuse form of HT were surgically treated. Isthmectomy with bilateral medial partial thyroid resection was performed (in 14 cases by conventional method and in 3 by APR). In 81 (61.4%) patients with nodular form of HT isthmectomy with bilobar or unilobar partial or near total thyroid resections were performed (74 conventional resections and 7 APRs). Seven (5.5%) patients have had pseudonodules. In 6 from these cases conventional isthmectomy was performed and in 1 isthmectomy by APR. Coexistent HT with thyroid carcinoma was diagnosed in 27 (20.4%) patients. All underwent thyroidectomy (1 by APR).

CONCLUSIONS

Surgery has it's place and efficacy in the treatment of selected patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis and compression symptoms or nodular forms with dominant nodules over 2 cm, suspicion for neoplasm or an unsightly neck appearance due to a large goiter. Argon plasma resection (APR) is a new, safe and promising technique of thyroid resection, particularly appropriate for patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis.

[Diagnosis and surgical management of Hashimoto's disease coexistent with thyroid carcinoma]

OBJECTIVE

To study clinical assessment and management of the Hashimoto's disease coexistent with thyroid carcinoma.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis in 182 cases of Hashimoto's disease treated from 1982 to 1998 were undertaken. The preoperation assessment, surgical management and the complication after operation had been studied.

RESULTS

Eighteen cases of thyroid carcinoma were found in total of 182 patients. The coexistent rate of the Hashimoto's disease with thyroid carcinoma was 9.9% (18/182). Preoperative diagnostic accuracy was only 33.3% (6/18). The 5-year and 10-year survival rates were 88.9% (16/18) and 81.3% (13/16), respectively. Seven received second operation, 2 of them found cancer in the specimens . The 5 years survival rates of the differentiated thyroid cancer (88.2%) was higher than the undifferentiated thyroid cancer (0), but there were no statistical difference due to the small cases (P = 0.167). Two patients had local recurrence and 3 had metastases. They had salvage surgery, which was curative. Three patients with undifferentiated thyroid cancer died of remote metastases. Six patients suffered hypothyroidism.

CONCLUSIONS

The preoperation diagnosis accuracy of Hashimoto's disease coexistent with thyroid carcinoma was low. A detail case history,computed tomography (CT), fine needle aspiration (FNA) can help the disease to be diagnosed. The surgical treatment is effective on patients with Hashimoto's disease coexistent with thyroid carcinoma.