Metallic Wires-like Thyroid Calcifications

Abstract

55 years-old male with a history of tuberculosis with pleuropericarditis was referred by the pneumologist for the evaluation of a large goiter with massive enlargement of the left thyroid lobe, with potential metallic wires inside (as described at a barium radioscopy). The clinical examination revealed a very large, firm left thyroid lobe, without compressive signs; the rest of the thyroid was normal on examination. The patient was euthyroid, the serum calcitonin was normal, antithyroid antibodies (antithyroperoxidase, anti-thyroglobulin) were negative. The ultrasonography of the thyroid revealed a huge left thyroid lobe (long arrow) with a 52/43/31 millimeters hypoechogenic nodule with mixed structure (predominantly solid), with very coarse, dense calcifications inside (short arrows) corresponding to the so-called metallic wires previously described. Total thyroidectomy was performed; the histopathological examination diagnosed a benign thyroid nodule and confirmed the calcifications (Figure 1).