Surgical treatment for 70 cases chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis

Abstract

Objective To discuss diagnosis and surgical treatment for chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis (CLT). Methods Records of 70 patients who were diagnosed as CLT from 2005 to 2009 were retrospectively reviewed. They were divided into two groups according to pathological results. Results There were 6 patients of CLT accompanying with papillary carcinoma. The rest 64 patients were diagnosed as CLT accompanying with benign nodules. All cases were confirmed by pathology and treated with operation. Conclusions Coexistence of nodules which can not be excluded from carcinoma is the main reason for surgical treatment in case of CLT. CLT patients especially for those associated with single nodule and/or microcalcification inside nodules should be given surgical treatment. The operative method depends on pathological results during operation. Key words: Chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis; Surgical treatment; Thyroid carcinoma; Thyroid nodule