Asymptomatic Atrophic Thyroiditis
| Autor: | P.A. BASTENIE, M. BONNYNS, A.M. ERMANS, P. NÈVE, L. VANHAELST, M. HERLANT, J.L. PASTEELS |
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| Rok vydání: | 1972 |
| Předmět: |
endocrine system
Pathology medicine.medical_specialty endocrine system diseases medicine.diagnostic_test business.industry Thyroid Physical examination medicine.disease Asymptomatic Thyroiditis Coronary arteries medicine.anatomical_structure Fibrosis medicine medicine.symptom business Coronary atherosclerosis Lymphocytic Thyroiditis |
| DOI: | 10.1016/b978-0-08-016628-5.50015-8 |
| Popis: | Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the clinical features, pathology, immunology, diagnosis, and treatment of asymptomatic atrophic thyroiditis. The term asymptomatic atrophic thyroiditis is used to designate lymphocytic thyroiditis developing without clinical signs in a gland of normal size or at least apparently normal on clinical examination. Although by definition asymptomatic, latent lymphocytic thyroiditis offers considerable clinical interest because of the complications it may carry, namely, definite hypothyroidism or atherosclerosis particularly in the coronary arteries. The frequency of asymptomatic lymphocytic thyroiditis varies a little. Whereas Hashimoto's thyroiditis is characterized by visible enlargement of the thyroid gland, most cases of atrophic thyroiditis show no macroscopic changes. Half the glands maintain a normal weight and quite a number decrease in weight and size. Microscopical lesions consist of tissue alterations with oncocytic metaplasia, lymphoid infiltrations, and varying degrees of fibrosis. The latter phenomenon is absent if the lesions are small and focal. Parenchymatous lesions, although sometimes discrete, are observed regularly in serial sections. In the affected parts, the thyroid follicles are reduced in size and contain little colloid, while the areas unaffected by thyroiditis show a normal structure. At first sight, it may seem surprising to want to treat an asymptomatic condition. However, this particular condition is liable to progress imperceptibly into definite hypothyroidism. Furthermore, it is attended by a serious risk of atherosclerosis, especially coronary atherosclerosis. Treatment with small doses of thyroid hormones, therefore, seems justified, particularly as this is an inoffensive, relatively cheap, and easily supervised form of treatment. In any case, it is an effective way of bringing down the excessive levels of serum cholesterol usually present in a patient affected with asymptomatic thyroiditis. |
| Databáze: | OpenAIRE |
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