Histopathologic Diagnosis of Thyroid Tuberculosis

Abstract

Thyroid tuberculosis is diagnosed by histopathologic examinations and microbiologic cultures. When granulomatous thyroiditis is encountered, tuberculosis should be kept in mind and Erlich Ziehl Nelsen staining should be performed for prompt diagnosis.

Incidental finding of a primary thyroid tuberculosis

“…Tuberculosis is considered a public-health problem despite the measures implemented for its prevention [2], with the prevalence ranging from 0.1% to 0.6% [3]. Since 1863, when Bruns et al .…”

“…The involvement can be primary (the most frequent) or secondary after the spread of bacilli from an adjacent focus or by seeding the gland during hematogenous dissemination [2, 3]. Five different clinical presentations have been described (i) goiter with caseation, (ii) cold abscess formation, (iii) acute abscess, (iv) miliary tuberculosis and (v) chronic fibrosing tuberculosis [2, 7].…”

Tuberculosis of Thyroid Gland - A Rare Case Report

“…Diagnosis is made only after Fine needle aspiration cytology or after histopathological examination of surgical specimen when Fine needle aspiration cytology is negative [6]. Characteristic findings include epithelioid cell granulomas with central caseous necrosis, peripheral lymphocytic infiltration, and Langhan's giant cells [7]. Caseous necrosis is cytologic finding specific to tuberculosis.…”

Endocrine and Metabolic Aspects of Tuberculosis

“…Fine-needle aspiration for cytology and microbiology is the preferred diagnostic tool for the differentiation of tuberculous thyroiditis from carcinoma and other granulomatous entities, including sarcoidosis, syphilis, and Hashimoto's thyroiditis (43,44,48). The definitive diagnosis of tuberculosis depends upon the demonstration of consistent cytopathological changes with either a positive acid-fast stain or culture for Mycobacterium tuberculosis.…”