SUBACUTE THYROIDITIS AND ITS CLINICAL CHARACTERISTICS — A RETROSPECTIVE SINGLE CENTER CLINICAL STUDY
Journal
Clinical and experimental thyroidology
Date Issued
2022-07
Author(s)
Stoilovska Rizova Bojana
DOI
https://doi.org/10.14341/ket12728
Abstract
INTRODUCTION. Typical clinical features of subacute thyroiditis (SAT) are commonly assessed such as – neck pain and
high body temperature, as well as thyroid function abnormalities, elevated inflammatory markers, and strongly suggestive
hypoechoic ultrasonography characteristics. Non-steroid anti-inflammatory agents and corticosteroids are used.
AIM. To examine the clinical characteristics in patients with SAT, by determining the level of thyroid hormones, the size and
structure of the thyroid gland as well as ultrasound and scintigraphy findings.
MATERIALS AND METHODS. We performed retrospective analysis in 122 cases of SAT (both genders, mean age
45.05±12,18 years), in the period 2015-2020. We evaluated monthly frequency of the SAT occurrence, the clinical status of
the patients including symptoms, body temperature, laboratory results of FT4 and TSH, CRP and ESR level, ultrasonography
and scintigraphy findings.
RESULTS. Most of the patients complained of neck pain, high body temperature was detected in 66/100 (66%) pts. CRP
and ESR Patients were usually diagnosed in hyperthyroid phase of the disease. Enlarged thyroid gland was mostly seen on
US, while 52 had normal thyroid gland, with predominantly hypoechoic non-chomogenous structure. Scintigraphy noted
“empty” scan (without presentation of functional thyroid tissue) in 72/98 (73,47%) and hypofixation mainly in both lobes in
26/98 (26,53%) pts.
CONCLUSION. The awareness of physicians needs to be increased in patients with neck pain for proper diagnosis of SAT, that
is often is often misdiagnosed or delayed, leading to erroneous antibiotic overuse. Generally, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory
drugs are effective in reducing thyroid pain in patients with mild cases.
high body temperature, as well as thyroid function abnormalities, elevated inflammatory markers, and strongly suggestive
hypoechoic ultrasonography characteristics. Non-steroid anti-inflammatory agents and corticosteroids are used.
AIM. To examine the clinical characteristics in patients with SAT, by determining the level of thyroid hormones, the size and
structure of the thyroid gland as well as ultrasound and scintigraphy findings.
MATERIALS AND METHODS. We performed retrospective analysis in 122 cases of SAT (both genders, mean age
45.05±12,18 years), in the period 2015-2020. We evaluated monthly frequency of the SAT occurrence, the clinical status of
the patients including symptoms, body temperature, laboratory results of FT4 and TSH, CRP and ESR level, ultrasonography
and scintigraphy findings.
RESULTS. Most of the patients complained of neck pain, high body temperature was detected in 66/100 (66%) pts. CRP
and ESR Patients were usually diagnosed in hyperthyroid phase of the disease. Enlarged thyroid gland was mostly seen on
US, while 52 had normal thyroid gland, with predominantly hypoechoic non-chomogenous structure. Scintigraphy noted
“empty” scan (without presentation of functional thyroid tissue) in 72/98 (73,47%) and hypofixation mainly in both lobes in
26/98 (26,53%) pts.
CONCLUSION. The awareness of physicians needs to be increased in patients with neck pain for proper diagnosis of SAT, that
is often is often misdiagnosed or delayed, leading to erroneous antibiotic overuse. Generally, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory
drugs are effective in reducing thyroid pain in patients with mild cases.