Comparison of Chemical Element Contents in Thyroid Goiter, Adenoma, and Thyroiditis investigated using Neutron Activation Analysis

Thyroid benign nodules (TBNs) are the most common lesions of this endocrine gland. Among TBNs the colloid goiter (CG), thyroiditis (T), and thyroid adenoma (TA) are the most frequent diseases. An evaluation of the variant of TBNs is clinically important for subsequent therapeutic interventions, as well as for more clear understanding the etiology of these disorders. The aim of this exploratory study was to examine differences in the content of bromine (Br), calcium (Ca), chlorine (Cl), iodine (I), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn), and sodium (Na) in tissues of CG, TA, and T. Thyroid tissue levels of eight chemical elements (ChE) were prospectively evaluated in 46 patients with CG, 19 patients with TA, and 12 patients with T. Measurements were performed using non-destructive instrumental neutron activation analysis with high resolution spectrometry of short-lived radionuclides. Tissue samples were divided into two portions. One was used for morphological study while the other was intended for ChE analysis. It was observed that in CG, TA and T tissues content of Br was significantly higher, while level of I was lower than in normal thyroid tissue. I accumulation in T tissue was lower than in normal thyroid and CG. Abnormal increase in Br level and decrease in I level in all TBNs might demonstrate an involvement of these ChE in etiology and pathogenesis of TBNs. It was suosed that great losses of I in thyroid with T, in contract to little reduced levels of I content in thyroid with CG and TA, could possibly be explored for differencial diagnosis of T.