Symptomatic C-cell hyperplasia associated with chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis Journal Article


Authors: Biddinger, P. W.; Brennan, M. F.; Rosen, P. P.
Article Title: Symptomatic C-cell hyperplasia associated with chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis
Abstract: A 58-year-old euthyroid man with episodic flushing and a 2-year history of progressive wheezing was found to have a hypoechoic lesion in one lobe of his thyroid and hypercalcitoninemia in response to pentagastrin stimulation. Thyroidectomy revealed bilateral C-cell hyperplasia unexpectedly associated with chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis. The C-cells exhibited positive immunohistochemical staining for calcitonin and polyclonal carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). Postoperatively, the wheezing and flushing subsided and the serum calcitonin level was not elevated with pentagastrin stimulation. The substance or substances responsible for the wheezing and flushing were not specifically identified. Nine other specimens of chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis were examined for C-cell hyperplasia and two had small hyperplastic foci, but of a lesser degree than the index case. These patients did not exhibit wheezing and flushing. The development of C-cell hyperplasia in chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis is uncommon and the mechanism for its occurrence is unexplained. This patient appears to be the first reported case of symptomatic C-cell hyperplasia associated with chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis. The substance or substances responsible for the clinical symptoms remain to be identified.
Keywords: calcitonin; age; carcinoma; thyroid; gland; c-cell hyperplasia; chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis
Journal Title: American Journal of Surgical Pathology
Volume: 15
Issue: 6
ISSN: 0147-5185
Publisher: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins  
Date Published: 1991-06-01
Start Page: 599
End Page: 604
Language: English
ACCESSION: WOS:A1991FM53000009
DOI: 10.1097/00000478-199106000-00009
PROVIDER: wos
PUBMED: 1674409
Notes: Article -- Source: Wos
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  1. Murray F Brennan
    1059 Brennan
  2. Paul P Rosen
    201 Rosen