25. Subacute granulomatous thyreoiditis (De Quervain)

Page created on March 30, 2019. Not updated since.

Staining: HE

Organ: Thyroid

Description:

Areas of normal thyroid is separated by fibrosis, causing the formation of “islands” of thyroid follicles. Also present are some giant cells, indicating that this is a granulomatous inflammation.

Diagnosis: Subacute granulomatous thyroiditis / de Quervain’s thyroiditis

Causes:

  • Viral infection, often upper respiratory tract

Theory:

This is a self-limiting disease that goes away after 6-8 weeks without treatment. Fibrosis is only present in the late stages of this condition, either right before or after remission. This indicates that this sample was taken from a patient who had late-stage subacute granulomatous thyroiditis. This also explains why there are so few giant cells present.

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