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1: Clin Endocrinol (Oxf). 1998 Apr;48(4):521-4.Click here to read Links

The tender neck: thyroiditis or thyroid abscess?

Houghton DJ, Gray HW, MacKenzie K.

Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Glasgow Royal Infirmary University NHS Trust, UK.

Following apparent subacute thyroiditis, a 16-year-old girl developed a left thyroid abscess thought to be secondary to steroids and haematogenous spread from a pilonidal abscess. The thyroid suppuration became recurrent and required partial thyroidectomy. Further left-sided abscess formation in the neck prompted a barium swallow which revealed the source of infection to be a sinus tract arising from the left piriform fossa. The patent fourth branchial sinus tract was later excised. All patients with a tender thyroid should have ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration to establish the diagnosis. If suppuration is confirmed, a barium swallow is advised to exclude a sinus tract from the piriform fossa.

PMID: 9640421 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

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  • Thyroid (Armour® Thyroid)

    Thyroid is a hormone produced by the body. When taken correctly, thyroid is used to treat the symptoms of hypothyroidism (a condition where the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormone). Symptoms of hypothyr...

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