What histological feature is commonly seen in Hashimoto thyroiditis?

Hashimoto thyroiditis is characterized by the presence of follicular destruction due to the infiltration of lymphocytes within the thyroid tissue. This autoimmune condition leads to the destruction of thyroid follicles and results in an infiltration pattern primarily dominated by T-lymphocytes. The lymphocytic infiltration is a key histological feature indicative of the autoimmune nature of the disease, where the body's immune system mistakenly attacks its own thyroid tissue.

In contrast, the presence of multinucleated giant cells is more characteristic of granulomatous thyroiditis, which occurs in different circumstances. Hypereosinophilic leukocytes are typically associated with allergic reactions or parasitic infections, not Hashimoto thyroiditis. Papillary structures within thyroid follicles might indicate a thyroid neoplasm or other forms of thyroid pathology, rather than the autoimmune destruction observed in Hashimoto thyroiditis. Therefore, the hallmark of Hashimoto thyroiditis is its distinctive pattern of lymphocytic infiltration leading to follicular destruction.