Metastatic diffuse follicular variant papillary thyroid cancer without cervical lymph node metastasis presenting with symptoms related to hypopituitarism

ABSTRACT In this article, we present a case of diffuse follicular variant papillary thyroid carcinoma with pituitary metastasis, which is a rare cause of pituitary metastasis. The follicular variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma is an uncommon variant of papillary carcinoma. A 74-year-old male was presented with weakness, fatigue, and a decreased appetite. The patient was diagnosed with secondary adrenal and thyroid insufficiencies. Imaging revealed a pituitary mass with suprasellar extension, right cavernous sinus invasion, and optic chiasm compression. Thyroid ultrasonography revealed a nodule with a maximum size of 7.2cm in the right lobe. Cytological examination via fine-needle aspiration suggested papillary thyroid cancer. Total thyroidectomy with central and right lateral neck dissection confirmed the diagnosis of diffuse follicular variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma. Owing to visual field defects, the patient underwent transsphenoidal surgery. Histological and immunohistochemical evaluations confirmed pituitary metastasis from the papillary thyroid cancer. Radioactive iodine treatment and gamma knife radiotherapy of the pituitary gland were performed. The initiation of sorafenib treatment was deemed appropriate during the follow-up. A significant decrease in the thyroglobulin levels was observed after sorafenib treatment. Pituitary metastasis should be considered in patients diagnosed with hypopituitarism and pituitary lesions at initial evaluation. The presence of visual field defects may be an indication for neurosurgical intervention and guide both diagnosis and treatment. The management of papillary thyroid cancer and the role of treatment modalities in prognosis depend on the biological behavior of the tumor. Early diagnosis and multidisciplinary management are crucial for the treatment of these patients.

Acute spontaneous suppurative thyroiditis caused by Eikenella corrodens presented with thyrotoxicosis / Tireoidite supurativa espontânea aguda causada por Eikenella corrodens acompanhada de tireotoxicose

ABSTRACT Acute suppurative thyroiditis is a very rare and life-threatening endocrine emergency. Thyrotoxicosis is a rare condition accompanying acute suppurative thyroiditis. While the majority of the cases in the literature are caused by different reasons, spontaneous development is very rare. We present a patient with acute suppurative thyroiditis who presented to our clinic with thyrotoxic findings, and we compared the case to the literature. A 31-year-old male patient was admitted to our clinic with a complaint of progressive neck pain, swelling and redness on midline neck, fever, and palpitations. On physical examination, swelling, redness and tenderness were detected on the neck region that was consistent with the thyroid location. He presented with tremor on the hands, tachycardia and agitation. Thyroid function tests were compatible with thyrotoxicosis, but there were findings supporting the presence of infection in biochemistry tests. On his radiological evaluations, a heterogeneous lesion divided with small septs was observed, with consolidation areas in the left thyroid lobe. In fine needle aspiration biopsy, 2mL of purulent fluid could be aspirated due to the presence of small, separated consolidation areas. He initiated on antibiotic therapy, propranolol, steroid and symptomatic treatment. Eikenella corrodens was detected on the culture antibiogram. Antibiotic therapy was continued for 14 days due to less symptoms and better biochemical values. After treatment, the patient had normal thyroid function, had relief of fever and redness of the neck, and was followed-up. It should be kept in mind that acute suppurative thyroiditis may develop spontaneously with the findings of thyrotoxicosis, with no risk factors.

RESUMO A tireoidite supurativa aguda é uma emergência endócrina muito rara e com risco de vida. A tireotoxicose é uma doença rara, que acompanha a tireoidite supurativa aguda. A maioria dos casos descritos na literatura tem diferentes causas, mas o desenvolvimento espontâneo é muito raro. Relatamos o caso de um paciente com tireoidite supurativa aguda, que veio a nossa clínica apresentando achados tireotóxicos, e o comparamos com a literatura. Trata-se de paciente do sexo masculino, 31 anos, que foi internado em nossa clínica com queixa de dor progressiva, edema e vermelhidão na linha média do pescoço, febre e palpitações. Ao exame físico, foram observados edema, vermelhidão e sensibilidade à dor na região do pescoço, consistente com a localização da tireoide. Apresentava tremor de mãos, taquicardia e agitação. Embora os exames de função tireoidiana fossem compatíveis com tireotoxicose, houve achados que sustentavam a presença de infecção nos exames bioquímicos. Nas avaliações radiológicas, observou-se lesão heterogênea dividida por pequenos septos, com áreas de consolidação no lobo tireoidiano esquerdo. Na biópsia por aspiração por agulha fina, foi possível aspirar apenas 2mL de líquido purulento, devido à presença de pequenas áreas de consolidação separadas umas das outras. Iniciaram-se antibioticoterapia, administração de propranolol e esteroides, além de tratamento sintomático. Eikenella corrodens cresceu na cultura do antibiograma. A antibioticoterapia foi estendida por 14 dias devido à melhora nos sintomas e dos valores bioquímicos. Após o tratamento, o paciente se apresentava eutireoideo, com melhora na febre e na vermelhidão no pescoço, sendo então acompanhado. Deve-se ter em mente que a tireoidite supurativa aguda pode se desenvolver espontaneamente com achados de tireotoxicose, sem nenhum fator de risco.