Hashimoto's thyroiditis: a personal experience

Abstract

Background: Hashimoto's thyroiditis is an autoimmune disease of the thyroid gland.Literature show that autoimmune thyroid disorders are important cause of goiter in post-iodization phase. This study was carried out to report on Hashimoto's thyroiditis in Iraq since no epidemiological study tackled this situation.
Methods: A total of 5 cases Hashimoto's thyroiditis were collected from 79 cases of thyroid goiter. Fine needle aspiration cytology was carried out, and all patients were subjected to surgery.Thyroidectomy specimens were evaluated histologically.
Results: All patients were females. Their age was 30 ± 5.2 years. Fine needle aspiration cytology showed 60% were benign lesions and 40% of them were atypical.
Conclusion: Hashimoto's thyroiditis is an important cause of goiter in Iraq. Further efforts needed to improve sensitivity of Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology.