Acute Thyroiditis Associated with Brucellosis: A Case Report

Brucella thyroiditis represents an extremely rare focal form of brucellosis. In this case report we describe a 55 years old male, diagnosed with brucellosis and peripheral arthritis with subsequent development of acute thyroiditis. The symptoms duration consistent with brucellosis started two weeks before establishing the diagnosis. Only a day after diagnosis and initiation of antibrucellar treatment, acute non-suppurative thyroiditis suddenly manifested. Thyroiditis was diagnosed with clinical inspection and confirmed by ultrasound investigation. With the appropriate antibrucellar treatment, complete cure of thyroid affection was reached in ten days and the patient remained well during the follow-up period of two and a half years. In conclusion, in brucellosis endemic regions brucellosis should be included in the diagnostic consideration in patients with acute non-suppurative thyroiditis. Early recognition and adequate treatment of brucella thyroiditis results in favorable outcome.

De Quervain’s Thyroiditis (sub-acute thyroiditis)

Inflammatory diseases of the thyroid can be classified into three broad categories: acute, subacute and chronic thyroiditis. Subacute disease includes granulomatous or De Quervain’s thyroiditis and lymphocytic thyroiditis or silent thyroiditis. The gland swells up and is very painful and tender. As thyroid hormones are discharged into the blood, patient becomes hyperthyroid clinically but the gland cannot take up iodine so the radioactive iodine uptake is very low. The hyperthyroidism generally resolves after a few weeks. The relief of pain by giving NSAID or steroids in this condition is so dramatic as to be almost diagnostic. A 40 year old man, hailing from Nawabganj, Dhaka was diagnosed as De Quervain’s thyroiditis and treated successfully. In this report, the case condition, procedures of diagnosis and treatment are reported in details.Mediscope Vol. 4, No. 1: Jan 2017, Page 35-37