Ultrastructural alterations of the follicular basement membrane in hashimoto's thyroiditis

摘要: Abstract Thyroid glands in eight cases, diagnosed histologically as typical of Hashimoto's thyroiditis, were studied by electron microscopy with particular emphasis on the follicular basement membrane. Findings compared those three cases Graves' disease (one associated lymphocytic thyroiditis), one case chronic thyroiditis and which thyroid was normal. In all distinct dense deposits observed membrane some follicles, almost always plasma cells close apposition to most instances, resembled antigen-antibody immune complex nephropathies. Positive correlation immunofluorescent studies obtained only clinically systemic lupus erythematosus. staining also seen control but not normal thyroid. Despite this apparent discrepancy, morphologic suggest that alterations are a specific pathologic feature disease.