Abstract
Chronic lymphocytic (Hashimoto) thyroiditis is an autoimmune disease that is characterized by the destruction of thyroid follicles by marked lymphoid infiltrate. The diagnosis is usually established by a combination of clinical features and serologic test results. One or more of a variety of circulating autoantibodies are identified in almost all patients, the most common of which are anti-thyroglobulin and antithyroid peroxidase. Intense and patchy infiltration of the gland by lymphocytes and plasma cells with formation of germinal centers is the most characteristic feature on histologic examination. Epithelial changes seen in Hashimoto thyroiditis include follicular atrophy and Hürthle cell metaplasia. Fine needle aspiration shows a cellular specimen that is characterized by a polymorphous population of lymphocytes. When there is a nonneoplastic Hürthle cell proliferation in Hashimoto thyroiditis, the cytologic picture resembles that of Hürthle cell neoplasm. In the florid lymphoid phase of Hashimoto thyroiditis, fine needle aspiration biopsy can yield an aspirate containing a dense population of lymphocytes that can be easily mistaken for malignant lymphoma.
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Adeniran, A.J., Chhieng, D. (2016). Hashimoto Thyroiditis. In: Common Diagnostic Pitfalls in Thyroid Cytopathology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-31602-4_5
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-31602-4_5
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