Acute suppurative thyroiditis due to Streptococcus anginosus leading to sepsis and acute respiratory distress syndrome: a case report

SUMMARY Acute suppurative thyroiditis (AST) is a rare but potentially life-threatening thyroid disease with a high mortality if left untreated. Thus, differentiation from other thyroid disorders is highly important in clinical practice. A 22-year-old male patient was admitted to a tertiary care hospital with cervical pain, palpitations, thyrotoxicosis, and an inhomogeneously enlarged right thyroid lobe. In view of the clinical findings, subacute thyroiditis (SAT) was suspected and treatment with glucocorticoids was started. After initial amelioration, the patient developed cervical erythema, fever, and recurrent pain. A CT scan showed extensive phlegmonous inflammation and abscess formation, suggestive of AST. We started immediate empiric antibiotic therapy and performed surgical drainage of the abscess formations. Subsequently, the patient developed hypoxic respiratory failure, leading to ICU admission and intermittent need for non-invasive ventilation. Blood and abscess cultures were positive for Streptococcus anginosus. If left untreated, AST represents a potentially life-threatening disease. Thus, in clinically doubtful cases, liberal further assessment by means of cervical CT scans or fine needle aspiration biopsy are strongly advised.

Tiroiditis aguda supurada en una paciente con fístula del seno piriforme: presentación de un caso / Acute suppurative thyroiditis in a patient with a piriform sinus fistula: A case report

La tiroiditis aguda supurada es una entidad poco frecuente en pediatría; de origen infeccioso, cuya etiología más frecuente es bacteriana. Su presentación típica en niños es la aparición de una tumoración en la cara anterior del cuello, con signos de flogosis, dolorosa, caliente y eritematosa, que excursiona con la deglución, y puede o no estar acompañada de fiebre, disfagia o disfonía. En niños, las anomalías congénitas, principalmente la fístula del seno piriforme, predisponen a la infección de la glándula, por lo que es importante la resolución quirúrgica del defecto anatómico para prevenir las recurrencias. El diagnóstico rápido, basado en la clínica y los estudios por imágenes, es importante para comenzar en forma temprana con un tratamiento antibiótico adecuado.Se presenta una paciente de 3 años, previamente sana, con tumoración cervical izquierda dolorosa y asociada a fiebre. Durante la internación, se arribó al diagnóstico de tiroiditis aguda supurada secundaria a fístula de seno piriforme.

Acute suppurative thyroiditis is an infectious disease, uncommon in children, caused by various microorganisms, being bacteria the most frequently involved. The typical presentation includes the appearance of a tumor in combination with signs of swelling in the anterior aspect of the neck, which is painful on palpation and is associated with warmth and erythema. It usually moves with swallowing and the patient can suffer fever, dysphagia or dhysfonia. In children, congenital anomalies can lead to the gland's infection, and the surgical excision of them is important to prevent recurrency. A quick diagnosis, based on clinical manifestations and imaging studies, is necessary to install an adequate antibiotic treatment. We present the case of a 3-year-old patient, who was previously healthy, with a painful left cervical tumor associated with fever. During the hospitalization, we reached the diagnosis of acute suppurative thyroiditis caused by an underlying pyriform sinus fistula

Aspiration with or without lavage in the treatment of acute suppurative thyroiditis secondary to pyriform sinus fistula

ABSTRACT Objective There is currently no consensus regarding the optimal management of acute suppurative thyroiditis (AST) secondary to pyriform sinus fistula (PSF). To investigate the benefits and adverse events of aspiration with or without lavage for the treatment of AST secondary to PSF. Subjects and methods This was a retrospective analysis of consecutive patients with AST secondary to PSF who were admitted at the Affiliated Changzhou No. 2 People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University between August 2012 and December 2018. Clinical information, procedural data, and imaging data were analyzed. Results Seven patients (five women; mean age, 16.9 ± 6.3 years; range, 8-26 years) were included. The patients most presented with anterior neck pain and swelling (n = 7), fever (n = 7), or odynophagia (n = 5). Six cases of AST occurred on the left side of the thyroid and 1 on the right. All patients had thyroid abscess. AST was diagnosed by ultrasound-guided needle aspiration cytology in all cases. PSF was diagnosed during the inflammatory stage in five patients and during the quiescent stage in two. All patients were treated with empiric antibiotics. Needle aspiration without lavage was performed in three cases. Needle aspiration with lavage was performed in four cases. Repeat aspiration was performed in three cases. All patients recovered completely, with no procedure-related complications. During 18.3 ± 7.8 months of follow-up, AST recurred in one case. Excision of the PSF was performed in another case. Conclusion Ultrasound-guided aspiration with or without lavage had a good treatment effect and without adverse events for the management of AST secondary to PSF.

Acute spontaneous suppurative thyroiditis caused by Eikenella corrodens presented with thyrotoxicosis / Tireoidite supurativa espontânea aguda causada por Eikenella corrodens acompanhada de tireotoxicose

ABSTRACT Acute suppurative thyroiditis is a very rare and life-threatening endocrine emergency. Thyrotoxicosis is a rare condition accompanying acute suppurative thyroiditis. While the majority of the cases in the literature are caused by different reasons, spontaneous development is very rare. We present a patient with acute suppurative thyroiditis who presented to our clinic with thyrotoxic findings, and we compared the case to the literature. A 31-year-old male patient was admitted to our clinic with a complaint of progressive neck pain, swelling and redness on midline neck, fever, and palpitations. On physical examination, swelling, redness and tenderness were detected on the neck region that was consistent with the thyroid location. He presented with tremor on the hands, tachycardia and agitation. Thyroid function tests were compatible with thyrotoxicosis, but there were findings supporting the presence of infection in biochemistry tests. On his radiological evaluations, a heterogeneous lesion divided with small septs was observed, with consolidation areas in the left thyroid lobe. In fine needle aspiration biopsy, 2mL of purulent fluid could be aspirated due to the presence of small, separated consolidation areas. He initiated on antibiotic therapy, propranolol, steroid and symptomatic treatment. Eikenella corrodens was detected on the culture antibiogram. Antibiotic therapy was continued for 14 days due to less symptoms and better biochemical values. After treatment, the patient had normal thyroid function, had relief of fever and redness of the neck, and was followed-up. It should be kept in mind that acute suppurative thyroiditis may develop spontaneously with the findings of thyrotoxicosis, with no risk factors.

RESUMO A tireoidite supurativa aguda é uma emergência endócrina muito rara e com risco de vida. A tireotoxicose é uma doença rara, que acompanha a tireoidite supurativa aguda. A maioria dos casos descritos na literatura tem diferentes causas, mas o desenvolvimento espontâneo é muito raro. Relatamos o caso de um paciente com tireoidite supurativa aguda, que veio a nossa clínica apresentando achados tireotóxicos, e o comparamos com a literatura. Trata-se de paciente do sexo masculino, 31 anos, que foi internado em nossa clínica com queixa de dor progressiva, edema e vermelhidão na linha média do pescoço, febre e palpitações. Ao exame físico, foram observados edema, vermelhidão e sensibilidade à dor na região do pescoço, consistente com a localização da tireoide. Apresentava tremor de mãos, taquicardia e agitação. Embora os exames de função tireoidiana fossem compatíveis com tireotoxicose, houve achados que sustentavam a presença de infecção nos exames bioquímicos. Nas avaliações radiológicas, observou-se lesão heterogênea dividida por pequenos septos, com áreas de consolidação no lobo tireoidiano esquerdo. Na biópsia por aspiração por agulha fina, foi possível aspirar apenas 2mL de líquido purulento, devido à presença de pequenas áreas de consolidação separadas umas das outras. Iniciaram-se antibioticoterapia, administração de propranolol e esteroides, além de tratamento sintomático. Eikenella corrodens cresceu na cultura do antibiograma. A antibioticoterapia foi estendida por 14 dias devido à melhora nos sintomas e dos valores bioquímicos. Após o tratamento, o paciente se apresentava eutireoideo, com melhora na febre e na vermelhidão no pescoço, sendo então acompanhado. Deve-se ter em mente que a tireoidite supurativa aguda pode se desenvolver espontaneamente com achados de tireotoxicose, sem nenhum fator de risco.

Tiroiditis no-autoinmunes / Non-autoimmune thyroiditis

El término tiroiditis comprende un grupo de enfermedades de la glándula tiroides caracterizado por la presencia de inflamación, abarcando entidades autoinmunes y no-autoinmunes. Pueden manifestarse como enfermedades agudas con dolor tiroideo severo (tiroiditis subaguda y tiroiditis infecciosas), y condiciones en las cuales la inflamación no es clínicamente evidente, cursando sin dolor y presentando disfunción tiroidea y/o bocio (tiroiditis inducida por fármacos y tiroiditis de Riedel). El objetivo de esta revisión es aportar un enfoque actualizado sobre las tiroiditis no-autoinmunes cubriendo sus aspectos clínicos, diagnósticos y terapéuticos.

The term thyroiditis comprises a group of thyroid diseases characterized by the presence of inflammation, including autoimmune and non-autoimmune entities. It may manifest as an acute illness with severe thyroid pain (subacute thyroiditis and infectious thyroiditis), and conditions in which the inflammation is not clinically evident evolving without pain and presenting primarily thyroid dysfunction and/or goiter (drug-induced thyroiditis and Riedel thyroiditis). The aim of this review is to provide an updated approach on non-autoimmune thyroiditis and its clinical, diagnostic and therapeutic aspects.

Tiroiditis aguda en el lactante: presentación de caso / Acute thyroiditis in an infant: a case presentation

Se presenta el caso de un lactante de 7 meses de edad, masculino, quien se presentó con fiebre, síntomas respiratorios y aumento de volumen en la región anterior del cuello, doloroso y duro. Luego apareció ronquera y dificultad para tragar. En la ecografía tiroidea se observó lóbulo derecho e istmo normal. Lóbulo izquierdo heterogéneo, aumentado de tamaño, macro nodular con múltiples imágenes nodulares ecogénicas de diversos tamaños que ocupan la totalidad del lóbulo. Se interpretó como una tiroiditis aguda infecciosa; se inicia terapia antimicrobiana de amplio espectro por vía endovenosa. Se evolucionó con ecografías, se realizó biopsia por aspiración con aguja fina, se extrajo material purulento, se realizó incisión y drenaje. No se obtiene crecimiento bacteriano en el cultivo. La dosificación de hormona estimulante de tiroides y tiroxina fueron normales. El paciente presentó evolución favorable. La tiroiditis aguda es una patología que se puede presentar en niños de corta edad. Se debe iniciar terapia con antimicrobianos de amplio espectro.

A 7 months infant, masculine, that appeared with fever, respiratory symptoms and volume increase in the previous region of the neck, painful and hard arrived. In the thyroid echography it was observed right lobe and normal isthmus. Left lobe: heterogenous, increased of size, macronodular with multiple echogenic and nodular images of different sizes that occupy the totality of lobe. It was interpreted like an infectious acute thyroiditis, it was initiated a broad spectrum antimicrobial therapy administered intravenously. It was evolved with echography, a biopsy by aspiration was carried out being extracted purulent material, drainage and incision was carried out. Bacterial growth in the culture is not obtained. The thyroid function was normal. The patient presented favorable evolution. The acute thyroiditis is a pathology that can be presented in young children. A wide-ranging spectrum antimicrobial therapy most be initiated.

Tireoidite supurativa aguda com múltiplas complicações / Acute suppurative thyroiditis with multiple complications

A tireoidite supurativa aguda é uma desordem rara, mais frequentemente causada pelo Staphylococcus aureus ou Streptococcus pneumoniae, e atinge particularmente crianças com fístula do seio piriforme. Em adultos, a disseminação por via hematogênica a partir de foco infeccioso em orofaringe ou trato respiratório parece ser o principal mecanismo patogênico. Os sinais e sintomas iniciais da tireoidite aguda são semelhantes aos da faringite aguda e da tireoidite subaguda. Esse fato frequentemente retarda o diagnóstico dessa doença e aumenta o risco de complicações. Relatamos o caso de um paciente masculino de 28 anos, previamente saudável, que, após quadro de amigdalite, apresentou tireoidite aguda complicada por tireotoxicose, volumoso abscesso no lobo direito da tireoide, que se estendia à abertura superior do tórax com desvio da traqueia e compressão de grandes vasos, associado à trombose de veia jugular interna e sepse.

Acute suppurative thyroiditis is a rare disorder, most often caused by Staphylococcus aureus or Streptococcus pneumoniae, which affects particularly children with pyriform sinus fistula. In adults, the main pathogenic mechanism seems to be hematogenous dissemination from a focus of infection in the oropharynx or respiratory tract. The initial signs and symptoms of acute thyroiditis are similar to those of acute pharyngitis and subacute thyroiditis. This fact often delays diagnosis and increases the risk of complications. We report the case of a previously healthy, 28-year-old man who, after being affected by tonsillitis, developed suppurative thyroiditis complicated by thyrotoxicosis; a large abscess in the right lobe of the thyroid extending to the thorax introitus, which caused a trachea deviation and compressed large vessels; associated with internal jugular vein thrombosis, and sepsis.

Tireoidite supurativa aguda em paciente pediátrico / Acute suppurative thyroiditis in pediatric patient

A tireoidite supurativa aguda (TSA) é uma condição rara, potencialmente ameaçadora da vida, que acomete geralmente mulheres na idade adulta, sendo mais comum em pacientes com doença tireoideana pré-existente. Os autores apresentam o caso de uma paciente pediátrica, previamente hígida, com quadro clínico e exames complementares sugestivos de TSA durante sua internação no Hospital Universitário da Universidade Luterana do Brasil.

Acute suppurative thyroiditis (AST) is a rare life-threatening condition that usually affects women in adulthood, being more common in patients with pre-existing thyroid disease. The authors report the case of a previously healthy pediatric patient with clinical and laboratory tests suggestive of AST during her hospitalization at the University Hospital of the Lutheran University of Brazil.

Absceso tiroideo con fístula del seno piriforme: tres casos clínicos / Thyroid abscess with pyriform sinus fistulae: 3 clinical cases

Thyroid abscess is an infrequent, potentially life-threatening condition. It accounts for 0,1 to 0,7 percent of thyroid pathology, usually occurring in patients with preexisting disease of the gland or more commonly, associated to local anatomical defects, such pyriform sinus fistulae. Three cases of thyroid abscess in children are presented, in which no bacterial etiology was confirmed. Intravenous antibiotics were used, cefotaxime, cloxacillin or clindamicin. Recurrence was confirmed in 2 of them, and a pyriform sinus fistulae was demostrated by esophagogram.

El absceso tiroideo es un cuadro infrecuente y una emergencia endocrina potencialmente fatal. Representa el 0,1 a 0,7 por ciento de las patologías tiroideas. Habitualmente se produce en pacientes con patología preexistente de la glándula o más frecuentemente, asociado a defectos anatómicos locales, como una fístula del seno piriforme. Presentamos 3 casos de abscesos tiroideos en escolares. Recibieron tratamiento antibiótico endovenoso de amplio espectro, a pesar de lo cual dos de ellos recidivaron precozmente. En dos de ellos se demostró una fístula del seno piriforme con esofagograma que se manejó quirúrgicamente.

Tiroiditis aguda piógen: revisión del tema a propósito de un caso / Acute pyogenic thyroiditis: case report and review

La tiroiditis aguda piógena o supurada es considerada una entidad rara y se caracteriza por signos inflamatorios y colección purulenta a nivel tiroideo. Se presenta el caso de una niña de 9 años, vista en el Hospital de Apoyo Juli, en el departamento de Puno, que presentó bocio doloroso, disfagia, fiebre y leves signos de hiperfunción tiroidea. La ecografía mostró una colección en el lóbulo derecho y en la punción tiroidea se obtuvo material purulento. El tratamiento se realizó con ceftriaxona, 50 mg/kg/d, clindamicina, 30 mg/kg/d y drenaje quirúrgico. La evolución de la paciente fue satisfactoria.

Acute suppurative thyroiditis is currently considered a rare entity and it is characterized by inflammatory signs and a collection of pus in the thyroid. We report a 9 years-old girl that was seen at Hospital de Apoyo Juli in the department of Puno, in which a tender goiter with dysphagia, fever and light signs of thyroid hyperfunction were present. Ultrasonogra-phy showed right lobule collection and the punction revealed purulent material. Treatment was done with cephtriaxone 50 mg/kg/d and clindamycin 30 mg/kg/d, besides of surgical drainage. The patient evolution was satisfactory.

Forma atípica de tireoidite supurativa aguda em paciente pediátrico: relato de caso / Atypical form of acute suppurative thyroiditis in pediatric patient: case report

A tireoidite aguda é uma doença rara. Na infância associa-se principalmente a anormalidades congênitas com acometimento do lobo esquerdo. Na ausência de tireoidopatia preexistente, a função tireoidiana geralmente está normal. Relatamos um caso de uma menina, 6 anos de idade, com tumoração associada a sinais flogísticos na região cervical anterior há 15 dias acompanhada de leucocitose com desvio à esquerda, VSH e TSH elevados. Não havia história prévia de tireoidopatia. A ultra-sonografia da região cervical foi sugestiva de abscesso tireoidiano. Realizou-se antibioticoterapia e drenagem cirúrgica com boa resposta, porém posteriormente a paciente evoluiu com hipotireoidismo clínico. O esofagograma não detectou fístula do seio piriforme e a ultra-sonografia controle revelou heterogeneidade do parênquima, levantando-se a possibilidade de tireoidite de Hashimoto. A importância do caso deve-se à sua apresentação incomum: ausência de anormalidades congênitas, acometimento difuso da tireóide, alteração da função tireoidiana e provável tireoidite de Hashimoto como fator predisponente da tireoidite aguda.

Acute thyroiditis is an unusual disease. In pediatric patients it is usually associated with congenital abnormalities towards the unilateral envelopment of the left thyroid lobe. In general, in the absence of preexisting thyroid disease, the thyroid function is most often normal. It is here described a case of a six-year-old girl who had presented a mass with flogistic signs in the anterior neck region for fifteen days, together with leukocytosis and increased levels of VSH and TSH. There was no evidence of previous thyroid disease and the cervical ultrasonography suggested thyroid abscess. Intravenous antibiotic and surgical dranaige were done with a good response, however, the patient developed clinical hypothyroidism aftherwards . Barium swallow did not demonstrate pyriform sinus fistula and the follow-up ultrasonography revealed heterogeneous internal texture suggesting Hashimoto's Thyroiditis. The relevance of this case is due to its unusual findings: the absence of congenital abnormalities, bilateral envelopment of thyroid lobes, hypothyroidism and a probable Hashimoto's Thyroiditis as a predisposing factor for acute thyroiditis.

Tiroiditis aguda supurada en un paciente pediátrico / Acute suppurative thyroiditis: report of a pediatric case

Acute suppurative thyroiditis (AST) is an uncommon condition because thyroid gland is remarkably resistant to infections. In children, anatomic defects such as a left pyriform sinus fistula or a thyroglossal duct remnant predispose to this infection. Once the diagnosis is confirmed by ultrasound or computed tomography, antimicrobial therapy based on the culture and Gram staining must be started. After two or three weeks of treatment, predisposing anatomic defects must be sought cautiously. We report a 13 years old girl presenting with cervical pain and fever. A cervical ultrasound showed an enlarged thyroid lobule with hypoecogenic zones that suggested a supurative collection. Cefotaxime and cloxacillin were started. A needle aspiration of the collection obtained a purulent material. The culture of this material yielded a Streptococcus Pneumoniae. The clinical condition of the patient improved and she was discharged in good conditions. Two months later a contrast esophagus X ray did not show predisposing anatomic defects.

Tireoidite bacteriana supurativa: relato de caso e revisão da literatura / Acute suppurative thyroiditis: a case report and review of the literature

Neste trabalho é apresentado um caso de tireoidite bacteriana aguda em um criança lúpica de nove anos de idade, em que o diagnóstico precoce foi imprescindível pela gravidade do quadro. Em seguida é apresentada uma revisão da literatura sobre o assunto

We present the case of a 9-year-old girl with acute suppurative thyroiditis and systemic lupus erythematosus. Early diagnosis was crucial for the outcome of the patient due to the severity of the disease. A review of the literature is also presented.

Tiroiditis subaguda y supuración tiroidea concomitante en 1 caso / Subacute thyroiditis and concomitant thyroidal abscedation in 1 case

We report a 41 years old man adnitted with tender goiter, fever, thyrotoxic manifestations and atrial fibrillation. Laboratory confirmed the diagnosis of subacute thyroiditis and treatment with aspirin and propanolol was started, obtaining a rapid relief of symptoms and normalization of heart rate. On the 10th day after admission, severe dysfagia, dysphonia, irritative cough and further enlargement of the neck mass developed. Fine needle aspiration of the mass and thyroid ultrasound lead to the diagnosis of a thyroidal abscess, which was surgically excised, draining 250 ml of purulent material. Cultures were positive for Staphylococcus aureus. Patient was treated during 21 with cloxacilyn and discharged with normal thyroid function. Long term follow-up has been uneventful

Tiroidite supurativa com evoluçäo fulminante em diabéticos / Suppurative thyroiditis with fulminant evolution in diabetics

Os autores apresentam dois casos de tiroidite supurativa em diabéticos tipo II, enfocando a evoluçäo rápida para sepse, levando a óbito um dos pacientes. Diagnóstico precoce, uso de antibióticos e drenagem cirúrgica ampla säo necessários para impedir um curso fatal nesses pacientes. Apresentam também uma breve revisäo sobre tiroidite supurativa