Subacute Thyroiditis Developed While Waiting for Papillary Thyroid Cancer Surgery:Pathologically Proven Two Cases

ABSTRACT

Co-existence of subacute thyroiditis and papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) is rarely reported. We have recently experienced interesting cases of subacute thyroiditis, which developed while waiting for elective surgery of thyroid cancer in two patients. Two women, aged 52 and 55 years, suspected or diagnosed as PTC complained of anterior neck pain and febrile sensation several weeks before the scheduled surgery. Both cases showed elevated serum thyroid hormones and erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and decreased thyroid-stimulating hormone. Ill-defined hypoechoic lesions on ultrasonography and decreased uptake on Tc-99m pertechnetate scan were noted in both lobes. Total thyroidectomy for PTC was performed after relief of symptoms either by steroid or non-steroid anti-inflammatory drug treatment. Pathologic evaluation of surgical specimen revealed multinucleated giant cells and mononuclear cell infiltration. Pathognomic findings of subacute thyroiditis in addition to PTC were observed in both cases.