[Marine-Lenhart syndrome: a case observation upon 18 years]

Abstract

After a hyperthyroidism of Graves' disease with strongly positive antithyroid antibodies treated sufficiently by radioiodine therapy a 46-year old woman developed a consecutive bifocal autonomous nodule within 13 years. This phenomenon is known as Marine-Lenhart-syndrome. In this particular case it seems that autonomous nodules are a consequence of Graves' disease treatment with radioiodine. Our case report is a 18 year follow up. In contrast to most studies known today the simultaneous occurrence of active Graves' disease and active autonomous nodules could be demonstrated by means of serology and suppressive scintigraphy, respectively. In addition, this case shows the possible dependence of an acute beginning of Graves' disease and the occurrence of autonomous nodules.