Immunhistochemical and electron microscope analysis of adenomas of the thyroid gland. I. A comparative investigation of hot and cold nodules.
Histologic, immunhistochemical and electron microscopic changes in 8 cases of scintigraphically proven autonomous thyroid adenomas are described and compared with non-functioning adenomas. Adenomas with a light microscopic appearance suggesting autonomy show follicles which are mainly small or normal sized and lined by columnar thyroid cells with a partly vacuolated and eosinophilic cytoplasm. Immunhistochemically a high content of thyroglobulin corresponds to the amount of rough endoplasmatic reticulum. Typical ultrastructural criteria are a well developed cytocavitary network, numerous mainly apically localized lysosomes, prominent Golgi fields with sprouting vesicles and autophagic vacuoles. The cell surface is, when compared to non-functioning adenomas, enlared apically by numerous long microvilli and basally by deep infoldings. On contrast to experimentally TSH-stimulated animal thyroids, colloid droplets and pseudopodia are rare. The morphological findings are compared with recent biochemical results and the diagnostic value of electron microscopy is discussed.
D000236:Adenoma / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004721:Endoplasmic Reticulum; D005260:Female; D006056:Golgi Apparatus; D006801:Humans; D008247:Lysosomes; D008297:Male; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008875:Middle Aged; D013954:Thyroglobulin; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000648:ultrastructure*
D013954:Thyroglobulin