[Adenomatous changes in the thyroid gland detected upon autopsy].

Of 820 autopsy individuals without clinical abnormalities, 218 (26.6%) revealed adenomatous goiter-like thyroid changes. The incidence was higher in females, it increased with age, however, there was no regulation to the disease which was the cause of death. In 12 cases there was association with microcancer. The 218 subjects were divided into 3 groups designated as mild, moderate and severe stages, according to the degree of change. The severe group is regarded as subclinical cases of adenomatous goiter. In the mild and moderate group, the possibility fo early figures of adenomatous goiter may be undeniable; degenerative changes due to aging appear to have an effect.