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[A normal thyroid gland upon autopsy: a relatively uncommon finding].

A Fleischmann1, T Hardmeier

  • 1Pathologisches Institut, Universität Bern.

Schweizerische Medizinische Wochenschrift
|July 27, 1999
PubMed
Summary

Thyroid glands increase in weight with age, with goiter affecting over 60% by the 10th decade. Normal thyroid glands are rare, found in only 25% of individuals, decreasing with age.

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Area of Science:

  • Pathology
  • Gerontology
  • Endocrinology

Background:

  • Thyroid gland weight and pathology exhibit age-related changes.
  • Understanding the prevalence of normal versus abnormal thyroid glands in aging populations is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the age-dependent changes in thyroid gland weight and incidence of goiter.
  • To establish the prevalence of various thyroid pathologies, including nodules, adenomas, carcinomas, metastases, and inflammatory infiltrates.
  • To ascertain the incidence of histologically normal thyroid glands in an autopsy cohort.

Main Methods:

  • Histological examination and weight measurement of thyroid glands from 420 autopsies.
  • Serial sectioning of thyroid lobes to ensure comprehensive analysis.
  • Analysis of an additional 840 autopsies to determine the incidence of normal thyroid glands.

Main Results:

  • Mean thyroid weight increases with age, exceeding 29g in the 7th decade, with goiter incidence rising to 64% by the 10th decade.
  • Hyperplastic nodules are the most common pathology (39%), followed by inflammatory infiltrates (6.6%), thyroid metastases (2.8%), adenomas (2.4%), and primary carcinomas (1.9%).
  • Only 25% of thyroid glands were histologically normal, with incidence decreasing with age; no decade showed a normal incidence above 50%.

Conclusions:

  • Thyroid gland abnormalities, particularly goiter and hyperplastic nodules, are highly prevalent in older adults.
  • Histologically normal thyroid glands are uncommon in the elderly, with their incidence declining significantly with advancing age.
  • These findings highlight the high burden of thyroid pathology in aging populations and the need for age-specific clinical considerations.

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