THYROID ABSCESS: A CASE SERIES
Thyroid abscess is a rare surgical pathology, accounting for less than 0.7% of surgical pathologies involving the thyroid 1,2 gland. This is due to its rich blood supply and lymphatic drainage, high concentration oodine that inhibits bacterial growth, protective brous capsule, and fascial planes 2–4 separating it from other neck structures. It may lead to complications like septicaemia, paralysis of the vocal cords, retropharyngeal abscess and suppurative media stinitis and 2 may occasionally lead to osteomyelitis or septic thrombophlebitis. It 5 may also lead to tracheal and oesophageal perforation. The 6 left lobe is commonly affected. If left untreated, thyroid abscess can be life threatening resulting in a mortality of 12% 6 or more