[Cytologic differentiation between the autonomous and autoimmune type of diffuse hyperthyroid goiter: correlation...

A group of 101 patients with diffuse hyperthyroid goiter has been studied. Sixty-seven patients showed significantly increased level of antibodies to the TSH receptor (TBIAb), 48 patients had positive microsomal antibodies (MAb) and 41 patients had infiltrative ophthalmopathy. On the basis of cytologic analysis of the whole group, the patients were divided into two groups. Group A (n = 51, autonomous form?) was characterized by follicular cell proliferation, while group B (n = 50, autoimmune form?) was characterized by lymphocyte infiltration or follicular cell proliferation with lymphocyte traces. Cytologic findings were correlated with autoimmunity markers (TBIAb, MAb, infiltrative ophthalmopathy); multiple correlation factor was 0.17. In conclusion, cytologic classification into autonomous and autoimmune hyperthyroidism form, except by microsomal antibodies, is not followed by other autoimmunity markers.