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Histologic pattern of thyroid disorders in Southern Kerala

Since the implementation of universal salt iodization in 1986, India is said to be in the transition phase from iodine deficiency to iodine sufficiency, and this is expected to change the spectrum of thyroid disorders in the country. Materials and Methods: A retrospective study of 246 biopsy specimens of subtotal/total/hemi thyroidectomy cases done during a period of 6 years from 2007 to 2012 at a tertiary hospital in Trivandrum, Kerala, is analyzed. Results: Thyroidectomy specimens accounted for 3.2% of the total surgical specimens received during the study period. Among the 246 thyroidectomy specimens, nodular colloid goiter (NCG) with or without other associated thyroid lesions outnumbered other disorders accounting for a total of 142 cases (58%) followed by 90 cases of autoimmune thyroiditis (AIT) with or without other thyroid lesions (37%). Dual lesions such as AIT with colloid goiter (7 cases, 3%), AIT with tumors (45 cases, 18%), and NCG with tumors (40 cases 16%) were also noted. The presence of tumors was found in 106 cases (43%). The overall incidence of malignancy was 36%. Forty-one cases of AIT and 36 cases of NCG were associated with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) (46% and 25%, respectively); the difference was statistically significant (P = 0.01). Conclusions: This study showed that the incidence of AIT and associated PTC is high, and the role of iodine or any other goitrogens in triggering or enhancing the onset and development of AIT in this area deserves further study.