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Epithelial cyst of thyroid

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Abstract

A benign thyroid cyst lined by thyroid follicular epithelial cells lacking immunoreactivity to thyroglobulin is reported. The patient had a 3 yr history of a large cyst in the lateral anterior neck, with no symptoms of hyperthyroidism or hyperparathyroidism. Water-clear fluid was repeatedly aspirated; analysis indicated the absence of parathyroid hormone (PTH), T3, and T4. Hemithyroidectomy revealed a simple epithelial cyst. Such cysts are rare, comprising approx 1% of thyroid nodules. A differential diagnosis of cystic neck lesions is presented and the possible pathogenesis of this cyst is discussed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medicine, Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

    Hubert P. Higgins MD

  2. Department of Pathology, St. Michael’s Hospital, 30 Bond Street, M5B 1N8, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

    Catherine J. Streutker MD, MSc, David Murray MD & Kalman Kovacs MD, PhD

Authors
  1. Catherine J. Streutker MD, MSc
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  2. David Murray MD
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  3. Kalman Kovacs MD, PhD
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  4. Hubert P. Higgins MD
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Correspondence to Catherine J. Streutker MD, MSc.

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Streutker, C.J., Murray, D., Kovacs, K. et al. Epithelial cyst of thyroid. Endocr Pathol 8, 75–80 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02739710

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