Concurrent Medullary Carcinoma and Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis: A Case Report with an Emphasis on US Features

Abstract

Medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) is a rare malignancy that originates from the parafollicular cells of the thyroid gland. Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT) is an autoimmune thyroid disease and is the most common cause of hypothyroidism. Previous studies have frequently discussed the association among HT, papillary thyroid carcinoma, and thyroid lymphoma. However, there have been few reports on the ultrasonographic findings of concomitant HT and MTC. In the present case, a heterogeneous hypoechoic background parenchymal echogenicity, with intraglandular echogenic strands, and increased vascularity were observed. A concurrent, ill-defined, parallel-oriented, heterogeneous hypoechoic mass with central microcalcifications was located at the left thyroid gland, consistent with reported US findings of medullary thyroid carcinoma except for an ill-defined margin in our case.

Keywords

• medullary thyroid carcinoma
• hashimoto’s thyroiditis
• ultrasonography