Difference between revisions of "IPLab:Lab 6:Hashimoto's Thyroiditis"

From Pathology Education Instructional Resource
Jump to: navigation, search
(Clinical Summary)
Line 1: Line 1:
 
== Clinical Summary ==  
 
== Clinical Summary ==  
This was a 49-year-old woman who complained during her yearly physical examination of tiredness and difficulty concentrating. She attributed these symptoms to stress at work. She had gained weight over the last year and despite warm weather, she felt chilled without a sweater. Family history was significant for hypothyroidism in her mother and older sister. On physical examination she had a pulse of 58 bpm and a blood pressure of 138/88 mm Hg. Examination of her neck disclosed a small thyroid gland with a palpable pyramidal lobe and a firm, bosselated texture. Serum taken at this time demonstrated a total T4 of 7.0 mcg/dL and a TSH of 22.0 mcIU/ml. In addition, antithyroglobulin antibodies were positive at 1 to 640 and antimicrosomal antibodies were positive at 1 to 5120. These results supported the clinical impression of hypothyroidism; also, the texture of her thyroid gland and a positive family history suggested an autoimmune etiological factor. She was referred to an endocrinologist for further evaluation; however, before beginning treatment she died suddenly from a ruptured berry aneurysm of the middle cerebral artery.
+
This was a 49-year-old woman who complained of tiredness and difficulty concentrating. She had gained weight over the last year and despite warm weather, she felt chilled without a sweater. Family history was significant for hypothyroidism in her mother and older sister.
 +
 +
On physical examination she had an enlarged thyroid gland with a firm, bosselated texture. Serum TSH was markedly elevated and antithyroid peroxidase antibodies were positive. These results supported the clinical impression of hypothyroidism; also, the texture of her thyroid gland and a positive family history suggested an autoimmune etiological factor. She was referred to an endocrinologist; however, before beginning treatment she died suddenly from a ruptured berry aneurysm.
  
 
== Autopsy Findings ==  
 
== Autopsy Findings ==  

Revision as of 23:19, 8 July 2020

Clinical Summary[edit]

This was a 49-year-old woman who complained of tiredness and difficulty concentrating. She had gained weight over the last year and despite warm weather, she felt chilled without a sweater. Family history was significant for hypothyroidism in her mother and older sister.

On physical examination she had an enlarged thyroid gland with a firm, bosselated texture. Serum TSH was markedly elevated and antithyroid peroxidase antibodies were positive. These results supported the clinical impression of hypothyroidism; also, the texture of her thyroid gland and a positive family history suggested an autoimmune etiological factor. She was referred to an endocrinologist; however, before beginning treatment she died suddenly from a ruptured berry aneurysm.

Autopsy Findings[edit]

At autopsy, significant subarachnoid hemorrhage from the ruptured berry aneurysm was documented. In addition, the thyroid gland was mildly enlarged and firm. On cut section the tissue was slightly pale.

Images[edit]

Virtual Microscopy[edit]

Study Questions[edit]


Additional Resources[edit]

Reference[edit]

Journal Articles[edit]

Images[edit]

Related IPLab Cases[edit]

Bosselated means covered with rounded protuberances.

Autoimmune disorders involve an immune response directed at the host's own cells.

A berry aneurysm is a small saccular arterial aneurysm usually found at a vessel junction in the circle of Willis. These aneurysms frequently rupture, causing a subarachnoid hemorrhage.