Acute suppurative thyroiditis with Graves disease - A very rare association

SUMMARY Acute suppurative thyroiditis is an uncommon disorder caused by a bacterial infection, usually presenting with normal thyroid function. It is a serious condition that requires a prompt diagnosis and treatment with antibiotics and supportive measures. A 62 years-old female presented with a painful cervical induration and odynophagia a week after a fish bone had been removed from her pharynx. She was febrile, and tachycardic and, on physical examination, a painful thyroid mass was detected. High inflammatory parameters and thyrotoxicosis were confirmed: thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) < 0.01 mIU/L (normal range [NR] 0.27-4.2); free thyroxine (FT4) 3.86 ng/dL (NR 0.9-1.7) and anti-TSH receptor antibodies (TRABs) 5.3 U/L (NR < 1.5). Thyroid scintigraphy showed a diffuse uptake of the thyroid parenchyma suggesting Graves disease. Cervical ultrasonography revealed an abscess of the left thyroid lobe of 36 × 36 mm and fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) with partial drainage was performed. Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus viridans were isolated, and directed antibiotic therapy was started. Clinical improvement was observed as well as a decrease of inflammatory parameters and the patient was discharged after 9 days of hospitalization. Eighteen days after discharge, thiamazole was initiated due to persistent thyrotoxicosis. Complete resolution of the abscess was documented within 6 months and the patient became euthyroid under thiamazole one year after initial presentation. To our knowledge, this is the third case reporting an association between acute thyroiditis and Graves disease. Furthermore, this is the first case detailing the simultaneous diagnosis of acute suppurative thyroiditis caused by a foreign body and Graves disease.

Tiroiditis granulomatosa de De Quervain: diagnóstico por citología con aspiración por aguja fina / De Quervain's granulomatous thyroiditis: diagnosis by cytology with thin needle

La tiroiditis de De Quervain, también nombrada como tiroiditis subaguda o tiroiditis de células gigantes, frecuentemente es precedida por un cuadro infeccioso del tracto respiratorio superior. Su diagnóstico es eminentemente clínico; pero el uso de la citología por aspiración con aguja fina de tiroides, confirma o niega el planteamiento clínico según las características citológicas. Fue empleada esta técnica en 6 pacientes con clínica y ultrasonido diferentes y por la necesidad de realizar un correcto diagnóstico diferencial con otras formas de hipertiroidismo con peor pronóstico evolutivo. La citología por aspiración con aguja fina mostró en estos casos ser un arma eficaz para ello, por lo que se decidió realizar esta presentación.

De Quervain's thyroiditis, also called sub-acute thyroiditis or thyroiditis of giant cells, is frequently preceded by an infectious picture of the high respiratory tract. Its diagnosis is eminently clinical; but the usage of the cytology by aspiration of the thyroid with thin needle, confirm or denied the clinical conclusions according to the cytological characteristics. This technique was used in six patients with different clinical and ultrasound results, because of the necessity of arriving to a correct differential diagnosis with other forms of hyperthyroidism with worse evolvable diagnosis. The cytology by aspiration with thin needle in these cases showed to be an efficacious weapon for that, so we decided to prepare this presentation.

Tiroiditis aguda piógen: revisión del tema a propósito de un caso / Acute pyogenic thyroiditis: case report and review

La tiroiditis aguda piógena o supurada es considerada una entidad rara y se caracteriza por signos inflamatorios y colección purulenta a nivel tiroideo. Se presenta el caso de una niña de 9 años, vista en el Hospital de Apoyo Juli, en el departamento de Puno, que presentó bocio doloroso, disfagia, fiebre y leves signos de hiperfunción tiroidea. La ecografía mostró una colección en el lóbulo derecho y en la punción tiroidea se obtuvo material purulento. El tratamiento se realizó con ceftriaxona, 50 mg/kg/d, clindamicina, 30 mg/kg/d y drenaje quirúrgico. La evolución de la paciente fue satisfactoria.

Acute suppurative thyroiditis is currently considered a rare entity and it is characterized by inflammatory signs and a collection of pus in the thyroid. We report a 9 years-old girl that was seen at Hospital de Apoyo Juli in the department of Puno, in which a tender goiter with dysphagia, fever and light signs of thyroid hyperfunction were present. Ultrasonogra-phy showed right lobule collection and the punction revealed purulent material. Treatment was done with cephtriaxone 50 mg/kg/d and clindamycin 30 mg/kg/d, besides of surgical drainage. The patient evolution was satisfactory.

Forma atípica de tireoidite supurativa aguda em paciente pediátrico: relato de caso / Atypical form of acute suppurative thyroiditis in pediatric patient: case report

A tireoidite aguda é uma doença rara. Na infância associa-se principalmente a anormalidades congênitas com acometimento do lobo esquerdo. Na ausência de tireoidopatia preexistente, a função tireoidiana geralmente está normal. Relatamos um caso de uma menina, 6 anos de idade, com tumoração associada a sinais flogísticos na região cervical anterior há 15 dias acompanhada de leucocitose com desvio à esquerda, VSH e TSH elevados. Não havia história prévia de tireoidopatia. A ultra-sonografia da região cervical foi sugestiva de abscesso tireoidiano. Realizou-se antibioticoterapia e drenagem cirúrgica com boa resposta, porém posteriormente a paciente evoluiu com hipotireoidismo clínico. O esofagograma não detectou fístula do seio piriforme e a ultra-sonografia controle revelou heterogeneidade do parênquima, levantando-se a possibilidade de tireoidite de Hashimoto. A importância do caso deve-se à sua apresentação incomum: ausência de anormalidades congênitas, acometimento difuso da tireóide, alteração da função tireoidiana e provável tireoidite de Hashimoto como fator predisponente da tireoidite aguda.

Acute thyroiditis is an unusual disease. In pediatric patients it is usually associated with congenital abnormalities towards the unilateral envelopment of the left thyroid lobe. In general, in the absence of preexisting thyroid disease, the thyroid function is most often normal. It is here described a case of a six-year-old girl who had presented a mass with flogistic signs in the anterior neck region for fifteen days, together with leukocytosis and increased levels of VSH and TSH. There was no evidence of previous thyroid disease and the cervical ultrasonography suggested thyroid abscess. Intravenous antibiotic and surgical dranaige were done with a good response, however, the patient developed clinical hypothyroidism aftherwards . Barium swallow did not demonstrate pyriform sinus fistula and the follow-up ultrasonography revealed heterogeneous internal texture suggesting Hashimoto's Thyroiditis. The relevance of this case is due to its unusual findings: the absence of congenital abnormalities, bilateral envelopment of thyroid lobes, hypothyroidism and a probable Hashimoto's Thyroiditis as a predisposing factor for acute thyroiditis.

A Case of Acute Perithyroiditis with Transient Thyrotoxicosis in Childhood / 대한내분비학회지

Acute thyroiditis is a rare disease because of the sufficient supply of blood vessels and lymphatics in thyroid tissue, the high concentration of iodide in the thyroid tissue and the nearly completely isolated structure of the thyroid gland from the surrounding tissue via its capsule. The most common route of infection is from a pyriform sinus fistula and then the inflammation spreads from the sinus to the perithyroidal space. Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can show a low echogenic mass encircling thyroid gland and swelling of the perithyroidal tissue in acute suppurative thyroiditis. We experienced a case of acute perithyroiditis with thyrotoxicosis that developed in a 13-year old boy and he was diagnosed by the CT findings. The patient had complained of a low graded fever and neck swelling. The laboratory diagnosis and clinical course was like that of subacute thyroiditis, but the CT finding showed a show low echogenic mass encircling the thyroid glands and swelling of the perithyroidal tissue. Therefore, we diagnosed this patient with acute perithyroiditis. After treatment with antibiotics, he displayed clinical improvement and was discharged.

Tiroiditis aguda producida por Haemophilus influenza en un lactante menor

Objetivo: Presentar el caso poco frecuente de un lactante mayor con una tiroiditis aguda causada por un microorganismo inusual como es el Haemophilus influenzae. Métodos: Se resume la historia clínica, se dan los resultados de exámenes de laboratorio y ecografía, así como el manejo realizado. Se hace una revisión de la literatura. Resultados: Se trata de lactante mayor masculino de 17 meses de edad quien se presentó con fiebre, afectación del estado general y tumoración dolorosa fluctuante en región anterior del cuello, con signos de flogosis, sin adenomegalias laterocervicales. La hematología reportó lecocitosis (17.000 x mm³) con neutrofilia marcada (segmentados 88%, linfocitos 7% y monocitos 3%) y elevación de la eritrosedimentación globular (VSG de 48 mm). Función tiroidea conservada. En la ecografía tiroidea se observó lóbulo tiroideo izquierdo aumentado de tamaño con imagen hipoecogénica (colección semilíquida - absceso) y se diagnosticó una tiroiditis aguda supurativa. Se realizó drenaje quirúrgico, cultivo y antibiograma y se indicó antibióticoterapia a base de oxacilina, considerando los microorganismos mas frecuentemente hallados en esta patología. El paciente presentó una evolución desfavorable por lo que, de acuerdo a cultivo y antibiograma, que demostró crecimiento de Haemophilus influenzae, se indicó ceftriaxona con buena respuesta. Se descartó la presencia de defectos anatómicos predisponentes de la enfermedad. Conclusión: La tiroiditis aguda es una patología que se puede presentar en niños de corta edad y además puede ser producida por microorganismos distintos a los descritos comúnmente en la literatura. Se debe iniciar terapia con antibióticos de amplio espectro, mientras se espera el resultado del cultivo y antibiograma de la secreción para precisar el agente etiológico y los antibióticos específicos. Se debe descartar la presencia de anomalías congénitas predisponentes en todos los casos, así como su corrección quirúrgica, para evitar residuos.

Objective: To report an uncommon case of an infant with acute thyroiditis caused by an inusual microorganism as Haemophilus influenzae. Methods: Data from clinical history, laboratory tests, ultrasonographic findings and management performed are summarized. The literature is reviewed. Results: A 17 months old male infant with fever, poor general conditions and a tender cystic mass in the neck region, without regional lymphadenopathies, was admitted. Leukocytosis with marked shift to the left (neutrophilous 88%, lymphocytes 7% and monocytes 3%) and elevated sedimentation rate (VSG: 48 mm) was found. Thyroid function studies were normal. Ultrasonography showed an abscess in the left thyroid lobe, and a acute suppurative thyroiditis was diagnosed. Surgical drainage and culture of the neck mass content was performed. Therapy with oxacilin was initiated, according to the most common organisms found in this pathology, but the evolution was not satisfactory. Haemophylus influenzae was identified in the culture and the antimicrobial was changed for ceftriaxone, showing better response. Underlying anatomic defects of the disease were excluded. Conclusion: Acute suppurative thyroiditis could occur in infants. It could be caused for unusual organisms. A broad spectrum antibiotic should be given before the organism is identified. The appropiate antimicrobial therapy is determined by the specific microorganism isolated. In order to prevent recurrence, anatomic congenital anomalies should be investigated and corrected, in all the cases.

A Case of Acute Suppurative Thyroiditis Caused by Pyriform Sinus Fistula with Thyrotoxicosis / 대한내분비학회지

This is the first case report about acute suppurative thyroiditis with thyrotoxicosis and pyriform sinus in Korea. A female patient, who was previously healthy, visited our hospital for the treatment of common cold symptoms and neck pain which developed 2 weeks before the visit. The condition of the patient did not improve through the use of antipyretics and even worsened. The patient was admitted to the hospital and was diagnosed with acute suppurative thyroiditis. The culture result of the drained fluid revealed group D Streptococcus. The patients condition was improved after using antibiotics and drainage. After recovery from acute thyroiditis, esophagography was performed and the pyriform sinus was found to be obliterated by chemical cauterization. It is very important yet difficult to differentiate acute thyroiditis with thyrotoxicosis from subacute thyroiditis. In this study, we discussed the differential diagnosis between acute thyroiditis and subacute thyroiditis with a review of literature.