Hürthle-Cell Lesions of the Thyroid: A Combined Study Using Transmission Electron Microscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy, and Immunocytochemistry

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Abstract
Hurthle cell transformation found in 2 nodular goiters, 2 cases of Hashimoto''s thyroiditis, 4 follicular adenomas, 3 follicular carcinomas, 2 papillary carcinomas and 1 anaplastic carcinoma were studied by transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and immunocytochemistry. Ultrastructural features of Hurthle cells were identified in non-neoplastic and neoplastic lesions. Cells crammed with mitochondria, showing abnormalities in size, shape and content were prominent in most cases. The presence of distinct smooth-surfaced cells interspersed with cells with many microvilli is almost a pathognomonic scanning electron microscopic features of benign and malignant Hurthle cell lesions. Most Hurthle cells stained positively for thyroglobulin in all cases, but no immunoreactivity for CEA and calcitonin was found.