FIG. 5.
Histopathological features of Hashimoto's thyroiditis. Left panels: Microphotographs originally presented by Dr. Hashimoto in 1912. Right panels: Corresponding hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) histopathological features. (Legends for the left panels are our translation of the original legends.) (A) Low-power view showing pronounced lymphoid follicles within the thyroid parenchyma. a, lymphoid follicles with germinal center; b, diffusely hypertrophic interstitium; c, atrophic thyroid follicles containing scarce colloid. (B) A 20× magnification showing similar features as those described in (A). (C) Interstitial changes. a, lymphoid follicle; b, blood vessel; c, nest of lymphocytes; d, abnormal thyroid follicles showing atrophy, ill-defined borders, and scarce colloid; e, nuclear division. (D) A 64× magnification illustrating features similar to (C). The inset (252×) depicts a cell undergoing nuclear division. (E) Thyroid follicle changes. a, thyrocytes are bold, stratified in some regions, and with undefined boundaries; b, the colloidal space contains infiltrating leukocytes; c, leukocytes migrating through the follicular wall; d, mononuclear cells in the interstitium. (F) A 160× magnification showing the metaplastic transformation of the thyroid epithelium we now refer to as Hürthle cells, as well as the penetration of lymphocytes into the thyroid cell, named emperipolesis. (G) Marked proliferation of the interstitial connective tissue. a, hypertrophic connective tissue; b, small atrophic thyroid follicles with near-absent colloid; c, pronounced mononuclear (lymphocytic) infiltration; d, blood vessel. (H) A 64× magnification showing abundant fibrosis, small remaining thyroid follicles surrounded by lymphocytes. (I) Notable changes. a, lymphoid follicle with germinal center; b, thyroid follicles with scanty colloid and dense appearance; c, multinucleated giant cell; d, interstitial proliferation with mononuclear infiltration. (J) A 64× magnification summarizing features illustrated in previous panels, as well as a rare multinucleated giant cell (inset).