ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the clinico-pathological characteristics of nodular goiter (NG) with lymphocytes infiltration and its relationship with Hashimoto′s disease. Methods Clinical and histologic data were collected and reviewed for 1121 cases of nodular goiter and 55 cases of thyroid adenoma, among which 83 cases had lymphocytes infiltration. These 83 cases of NG with lymphocytes infiltration were observed histologically in detail, followed up and assessed for the correlation of thyroid function to histologic findings. Results The overall incidence of lymphocytic infiltration in non-toxic nodular goiter was 7.4% (83/1121). Most of them were women of middle age. All had lymphocytes infiltration, follicule atrophy and oxiphilic epithelia in the background of nodular goiter. Seventy-six percent underwent cystic degeneration or had fibrous scar. Nineteen percent with lymphocytes infiltration in NG developed post-operative hypothyroidism. Six cases (7%) had high levels of thyroid auto-antibodies. None of the 55 cases of thyroid adenoma had overt lymphocytes infiltration. Conclusion Nodular goiter with lymphocytes infiltration and Hashimoto′s disease shares similar morphology and clinical presentation in some degree. It seems that NG with lymphocytes infiltration is a kind of inflammatory hyperplasia relating to autoimmunity and perhaps the beginning of some cases of Hashimoto′s disease.