Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 6, 2026

An Orthotopic Mouse Model of Anaplastic Thyroid Carcinoma
Published on: April 17, 2013
Graves' disease triggered by autoinfarction of an autonomously functioning thyroid adenoma
E Gallegos1, D A Meier, M Garcia
1Department of Nuclear Medicine, William Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak, Troy, MI 48098-1198, USA.
Abstract:
A patient whose nontoxic autonomously functioning thyroid adenoma had been stable for at least 3 yr developed enlargement of the nodule and hyperthyroidism. It was assumed the hyperthyroidism was caused by evolving toxicity in the autonomous adenoma, but imaging showed the nodule had undergone infarction and the hyperthyroidism was secondary to Graves' disease. This case demonstrates the necessity of thyroid imaging in patients with nontoxic autonomously functioning thyroid adenomas when there is a change in nodule size or thyroid function which requires treatment.
Related Concept Videos
Synthesis and Regulation of Thyroid Hormones
Upon reaching the thyroid gland, TSH stimulates the follicular cells' active uptake of iodide ions from the blood. The ions diffuse to the apical surface of the cells and are oxidized to iodine. The iodine is then...
Hyperthyroidism I: Introduction
Hyperthyroidism II: Pathophysiology
Graves' Disease I: Introduction
Graves Disease II: Pathophysiology
Goiter

