Morphology of T and B lymphocytes assessed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) in thyroiditis and Graves's disease.

Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) assessment of the T and B lymphocytic sub-population shows alterations in cell immunity in the thyroid gland pathology. The mean per cent figure in 10 normal individuals was 68.8 for T lymphocytes (variation range: 50-83%) and 19.6 for B lymphocytes (variation range: 11-26%); in 12 untreated cases of Graves's disease the mean figure was 78.08% for T and 16.25% for B lymphocytes. The 15 patients with untreated thyroiditis showed a mean of 83.43% for T and 12.78% for B lymphocytes. The increased number of T lymphocytes is a proof of cell immunity alteration.