Acute infectious thyroiditis: Difference between revisions
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{{Infobox medical condition | |||
[[File: | | name = Acute infectious thyroiditis | ||
| image = [[File:Subacute_thyroiditis_-_very_high_mag.jpg|thumb|Histopathological image of subacute thyroiditis]] | |||
| caption = Histopathological image of subacute thyroiditis | |||
| field = [[Endocrinology]] | |||
| synonyms = Suppurative thyroiditis, bacterial thyroiditis | |||
| symptoms = [[Neck pain]], [[fever]], [[dysphagia]], [[hoarseness]] | |||
| complications = [[Abscess]], [[sepsis]], [[airway obstruction]] | |||
| onset = Sudden | |||
| duration = Variable | |||
| causes = [[Bacterial infection]], [[viral infection]] | |||
| risks = [[Immunocompromised state]], [[pre-existing thyroid disease]] | |||
| diagnosis = [[Clinical examination]], [[ultrasound]], [[fine needle aspiration biopsy]] | |||
| differential = [[Subacute thyroiditis]], [[Hashimoto's thyroiditis]], [[Graves' disease]] | |||
| treatment = [[Antibiotics]], [[surgical drainage]] | |||
| medication = [[Antibiotics]] | |||
| prognosis = Good with treatment | |||
| frequency = Rare | |||
}} | |||
Acute Infectious Thyroiditis (AIT), also known as suppurative thyroiditis, is a rare form of [[thyroiditis]] resulting from an infectious process. It is characterized by rapid onset of symptoms which can include pain, swelling, and tenderness of the thyroid gland, systemic fever, and occasionally, abscess formation within the thyroid gland. | Acute Infectious Thyroiditis (AIT), also known as suppurative thyroiditis, is a rare form of [[thyroiditis]] resulting from an infectious process. It is characterized by rapid onset of symptoms which can include pain, swelling, and tenderness of the thyroid gland, systemic fever, and occasionally, abscess formation within the thyroid gland. | ||
===Etiology and Epidemiology=== | ===Etiology and Epidemiology=== | ||
Most cases of AIT are caused by bacterial infections, with Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus species being the most common pathogens. Other potential causes include fungal and mycobacterial infections. AIT is more common in children and adolescents, especially those with pre-existing [[anatomical]] anomalies of the thyroid or neck region, such as pyriform sinus fistula. | Most cases of AIT are caused by bacterial infections, with Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus species being the most common pathogens. Other potential causes include fungal and mycobacterial infections. AIT is more common in children and adolescents, especially those with pre-existing [[anatomical]] anomalies of the thyroid or neck region, such as pyriform sinus fistula. | ||
===Clinical Presentation=== | ===Clinical Presentation=== | ||
Patients with AIT commonly present with: | Patients with AIT commonly present with: | ||
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* Hoarseness due to compression of the recurrent laryngeal nerve | * Hoarseness due to compression of the recurrent laryngeal nerve | ||
* Symptoms of hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism might be present depending on the extent of gland involvement | * Symptoms of hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism might be present depending on the extent of gland involvement | ||
===Diagnosis=== | ===Diagnosis=== | ||
Diagnosis is primarily based on clinical presentation, laboratory findings (elevated white blood cell count, increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate), and imaging studies. Ultrasound of the thyroid may show heterogeneous areas with or without abscess formation. Fine needle aspiration (FNA) can be diagnostic as well as therapeutic in case of abscess formation. | Diagnosis is primarily based on clinical presentation, laboratory findings (elevated white blood cell count, increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate), and imaging studies. Ultrasound of the thyroid may show heterogeneous areas with or without abscess formation. Fine needle aspiration (FNA) can be diagnostic as well as therapeutic in case of abscess formation. | ||
===Treatment=== | ===Treatment=== | ||
Antibiotic therapy targeting the identified or suspected organism is the mainstay of treatment. Surgical drainage may be required for large abscesses or if medical management fails. Long-term follow-up is necessary as some patients may develop [[hypothyroidism]] after resolution of the acute episode. | Antibiotic therapy targeting the identified or suspected organism is the mainstay of treatment. Surgical drainage may be required for large abscesses or if medical management fails. Long-term follow-up is necessary as some patients may develop [[hypothyroidism]] after resolution of the acute episode. | ||
===Prognosis=== | ===Prognosis=== | ||
With prompt diagnosis and appropriate treatment, the prognosis for AIT is generally good. However, potential complications include spread of infection to adjacent structures, [[sepsis]], and the development of hypothyroidism or [[thyroid]] scarring. | With prompt diagnosis and appropriate treatment, the prognosis for AIT is generally good. However, potential complications include spread of infection to adjacent structures, [[sepsis]], and the development of hypothyroidism or [[thyroid]] scarring. | ||
==See Also== | ==See Also== | ||
* [[Thyroiditis]] | * [[Thyroiditis]] | ||
* [[Thyroid gland]] | * [[Thyroid gland]] | ||
* [[Hypothyroidism]] | * [[Hypothyroidism]] | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
* "Acute Suppurative Thyroiditis: A Clinical Review" - ''Endocrinology and Metabolism Journal'' | * "Acute Suppurative Thyroiditis: A Clinical Review" - ''Endocrinology and Metabolism Journal'' | ||
Latest revision as of 22:23, 5 April 2025
Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
Founder, WikiMD Wellnesspedia &
W8MD's medical weight loss NYC, sleep center NYC
Philadelphia medical weight loss and Philadelphia sleep clinics
| Acute infectious thyroiditis | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Synonyms | Suppurative thyroiditis, bacterial thyroiditis |
| Pronounce | N/A |
| Specialty | N/A |
| Symptoms | Neck pain, fever, dysphagia, hoarseness |
| Complications | Abscess, sepsis, airway obstruction |
| Onset | Sudden |
| Duration | Variable |
| Types | N/A |
| Causes | Bacterial infection, viral infection |
| Risks | Immunocompromised state, pre-existing thyroid disease |
| Diagnosis | Clinical examination, ultrasound, fine needle aspiration biopsy |
| Differential diagnosis | Subacute thyroiditis, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, Graves' disease |
| Prevention | N/A |
| Treatment | Antibiotics, surgical drainage |
| Medication | Antibiotics |
| Prognosis | Good with treatment |
| Frequency | Rare |
| Deaths | N/A |
Acute Infectious Thyroiditis (AIT), also known as suppurative thyroiditis, is a rare form of thyroiditis resulting from an infectious process. It is characterized by rapid onset of symptoms which can include pain, swelling, and tenderness of the thyroid gland, systemic fever, and occasionally, abscess formation within the thyroid gland.
Etiology and Epidemiology[edit]
Most cases of AIT are caused by bacterial infections, with Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus species being the most common pathogens. Other potential causes include fungal and mycobacterial infections. AIT is more common in children and adolescents, especially those with pre-existing anatomical anomalies of the thyroid or neck region, such as pyriform sinus fistula.
Clinical Presentation[edit]
Patients with AIT commonly present with:
- Rapid onset of anterior neck pain and swelling
- Fever and systemic symptoms of infection
- Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) or odynophagia (painful swallowing)
- Hoarseness due to compression of the recurrent laryngeal nerve
- Symptoms of hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism might be present depending on the extent of gland involvement
Diagnosis[edit]
Diagnosis is primarily based on clinical presentation, laboratory findings (elevated white blood cell count, increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate), and imaging studies. Ultrasound of the thyroid may show heterogeneous areas with or without abscess formation. Fine needle aspiration (FNA) can be diagnostic as well as therapeutic in case of abscess formation.
Treatment[edit]
Antibiotic therapy targeting the identified or suspected organism is the mainstay of treatment. Surgical drainage may be required for large abscesses or if medical management fails. Long-term follow-up is necessary as some patients may develop hypothyroidism after resolution of the acute episode.
Prognosis[edit]
With prompt diagnosis and appropriate treatment, the prognosis for AIT is generally good. However, potential complications include spread of infection to adjacent structures, sepsis, and the development of hypothyroidism or thyroid scarring.
See Also[edit]
References[edit]
- "Acute Suppurative Thyroiditis: A Clinical Review" - Endocrinology and Metabolism Journal
- "Infectious Diseases of the Thyroid Gland" - The Thyroid: A Fundamental and Clinical Text
