Cytochemistry--a tool in thyroid pathology.

The authors studied the cytoenzymic pattern of various thyropathies. The highest enzymic activity was found in Graves' disease, especially for peroxidase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and succinate dehydrogenase. Lactate dehydrogenase showed a great activity in thyroid cancer. The lowest activity was found in Hashimoto's thyroiditis with strong fibrosclerosis. The cytophotometrical data in form of histograms showed dextro-deviation of curves and plurimodal, irregular aspects of nuclear volumes and nucleic acid content in agreement with the cytological features of the investigated thyropathies. The linear regression analysis between the nuclear volumes and the nucleic acid content disclosed a diminished correlation in thyroid carcinoma and in euthyroid goitre.