title: Thyroid nodule with Hashimoto thyroiditis in childhood - a challenging experience.
abstract: Fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) of the thyroid, although not perfect, is considered currently the best preoperative method in establishing malignancy in a thyroid nodule. We report the case of an 8-year-old girl with a thyroid mass in the right thyroid lobe. Endocrine investigations revealed subclinical hypothyroidism and high titer of anti-thyroid peroxidase antibodies. Fine Needle Aspiration Biopsy (FNAB) of the right side of the thyroid gland, where on thyroid ultrasonography (US) a poorly defined iso-/hypoechoic nodule with irregular margins was detected, revealed a background of lymphocytes and plasma cells mixed with follicular cells with reactive changes. After four months of treatment with L-thyroxine, ultrasonographic follow up showed an increase in nodule size. FNAB was performed again but showed non-diagnostic cytology. Right lobectomy was performed and the pathology report shows papillary carcinoma, follicular variant predominantly with components of insular growth. We discuss the false-negative FNAB interpretation because of the concomitant autoimmune thyroiditis. Management strategy for this case and the prognosis is also discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Genetics, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Targu Mures, Romania. iopascanu@gmail.com
authors.forename: Ionela
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Paşcanu
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Borda
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bănescu
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D050031:Hashimoto Disease / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D016606:Thyroid Nodule / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy