[Changes in the thyroid gland in Itsenko-Cushing's disease and corticosteroma]

Histological and ultrastructural examinations and stereological analysis of the thyroid gland of 16 patients with Itsenko--Cushing disease and corticosteroma with glucocorticoid hyperproduction showed signs of a decrease in its functional activity. An increase in the colloid mass in follicles was accompanied by its irregular staining, flattening of the epithelium, lipomatosis of the stroma and ultrastructural signs of low activity of thyreocytes. The assumption of a spherical shape of the follicles was shown to be unjustified. The accurate quantitative evaluation of the structural changes in the thyroid gland requires information on the spacial organization of its components and shape of individual follicles.