Amyloid goiter in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis and end-stage renal disease

• Main Authors: Ayşe Şeker, Taşkin Erkinüresin, Hakan Demirci
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2020-01-01
• Series: Indian Journal of Nephrology
• Subjects: amyloid goiter; hemodialysis patient; rheumatoid arthritis
• Online Access: http://www.indianjnephrol.org/article.asp?issn=0971-4065;year=2020;volume=30;issue=2;spage=125;epage=128;aulast=Şeker
• ISSN: 0971-4065; 1998-3662

The association between amyloidosis and collagen vascular diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is well-documented. Amyloid goiter is an extremely rare pathologic condition caused by a massive amyloid infiltration of the thyroid tissue. Our patient had been diagnosed with RA 20 years ago and was on hemodialysis for 7 years. He was assessed for decreased appetite, dysphagia, and nausea during the hemodialysis. On physical examination, the thyroid was diffusely enlarged with multiple nodules. He was biochemically euthyroid. Ultrasound of the thyroid gland showed multinodular goiter. A total thyroidectomy was performed. Histopathological examination showed dilated follicles surrounded by abundant homogeneous substance that stained positive with Congo red. The patient was reported as amyloid goiter. Complaints of the patient improved after the surgery. In the literature, amyloid goiter with RA in a hemodialysis patient is very rare. Amyloid goiter should be considered if there is a rapid thyromegaly causing pressure symptoms in the background of any disease with chronic inflammation.