THE SIGNIFICANCE OF LYMPHADENOID CHANGES IN THE THYROID GLAND

Abstract

In a series of 161 patients subjected to thyroidectomy, two were found to be suffering from Hashimoto's disease, and the thyroids of a further forty-two contained lymphadenoid nodules indistinguishable from those found in Hashimoto's disease. Of the forty-four patients whose glands showed the characteristic change, it was possible to follow in detail the post-operative course of forty-three. Of these, twenty developed severe hypothyroidism necessitating treatment with thyroid, while a further seven are under suspicion. Of the 117 patients whose glands did not show the characteristic change, none developed hypothyroidism. The hypothesis is advanced that those patients with toxic goitres which are found to contain lymphadenoid nodules are suffering from early Hashimoto's disease.