Surgical intervention in chronic (Hashimoto's) thyroiditis

Journal Article · Mon Jun 01 04:00:00 EDT 1981 · Ann. Surg.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1097/00000658-198106000-00013· OSTI ID:5451144

Thomas, Jr, C G; Rutledge, R G

Experience with 260 thyroidectomies at the North Carolina Memorial Hospital performed between 1875 and 1980 for a dominant thyroid mass was reviewed to determine the reliability of criteria for diagnosis and the indications for surgical treatment. Using the criteria of clinical findings, complemented by laboratory studies. Four patients had Hashimoto's thyroiditis coincidental to another disease for which thyroidectomy was performed. In seven patients Hashimoto's thyroiditis alone constituted the indications for operation. The indications for operation in these patients were: autonomous function with mild hyperthyroidism (2 patients); associated cold nodule (2 patients); thyromegaly unresponsive to suppressive therapy (2 patients); and rapidly enlarging mass simulating a neoplasm (1 patient). Only one of 71 patients with well differentiated carcinoma had Hashimoto's thyroiditis. One patient with Hashimoto's thyroiditis had associated lymphoma. In most patients, Hashimoto's thyroiditis can be identified using appropriate clinical and laboratory criteria without resorting to thyroidectomy to differentiate between thyroiditis and a neoplasm. Operations are indicated in patients with suspected or established chronic thyroiditis for: 1) the presence of a dominant mass with incomplete regression on suppressive therapy. 2) Progression of thyromegaly despite suppressive therapy. 3) Historic or physical findings suggest a malignancy. 4) Indeterminant findings on cutting needle biopsy.

• OSTI ID: 5451144
• Journal Information: Ann. Surg.; (United States), Journal Name: Ann. Surg.; (United States) Vol. 193:6; ISSN ANSUA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

550600* -- Medicine
551000 -- Physiological Systems
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE
BIOPSY
BODY
CARCINOMAS
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
DIAGNOSIS
DIAGNOSTIC TECHNIQUES
DISEASES
ENDOCRINE DISEASES
ENDOCRINE GLANDS
GLANDS
HYPERTHYROIDISM
MEDICINE
NEOPLASMS
ORGANS
PATIENTS
SURGERY
THERAPY
THYROID
THYROIDITIS