Electron Microscopic Study on Mitochondria in Hürthle Cell Adenoma of Thyroid

In this investigation Hürthle cell adenoma of the thyroid was observed by electron microscopy. The cytoplasm of the cells consisted chiefly of an accumulation of numerous irregularly shaped mitochondria. Very few other organellae were observed. In addition electron microscopy revealed various degrees of electron density in the matrix of the mitochondria. When 3 dimensional models of the mitochondria were constructed, they revealed the mitochondria to have 3 dimentional forms which sometimes looked as if they might be dividing into two or three parts. The authors felt that this indicated a process of vigorous division of mitochondria and an extension of their life span. However, it was not possible to identify the cause of this division of mitochondria.