Keywords
chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis - Hashimoto's thyroiditis - surgical treatment
Abstract
Hashimoto thyroiditis is a chronic organ-specific autoimmune disease. It is characterized by the production of autoantibodies against thyroid gland antigens with lymphocytic infiltration of the gland, leading to gradual destruction of a functional parenchyma.
The disease is a leading cause of hypothyreosis in the areas with sufficient iodine supplementation. Etiology is currently unknown, occurence of other autoimmune diseases is common and familiar occurence was noted.
The disease is associated with higher risk of thyroid gland malignancy. The treatment is usually conservative, surgery is indicated in suspicion for malignant tumor or in cases of a large goiter with mechanical compression.