Painful thyroid palpation.

Authors

  • Helena Pité Serviço de Medicina, Hospital de S. José, Lisboa, Portugal.
  • Marta Moitinho
  • Ana Silva
  • Isabel Ortigueira
  • Luís Dias
  • Victor Gomes

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.20344/amp.503

Abstract

A 37-years-old woman, complaining of fever, malaise, myalgia, sore throat and dysphagia lasting for 15 days, had been taking antibiotics and paracetamol for 7 days, without symptoms' improvement. The clinical examination revealed hyperaemic oropharynx and enlarged, painful thyroid. Further exams showed increased analytic inflammatory serum parameters as well as thyrotoxicosis. The thyroid gland had heterogeneous echostructure, with markedly hypoechoic areas and significant capsular oedema as well as decreased radionuclide uptake in the scintigraphy. Both symptoms and imaging improved with paracetamol and ibuprofen. Thyroid gland function normalized in two months. The patient remains in follow-up. This case reports the clinical features of subacute or De Quervain's thyroiditis. The differential medical approach to the patient with painful thyroid palpation is discussed. The diagnosis is essentially clinic, highlighting the importance of a rigorous physical exam. These patients' follow-up is required, considering the clinical and analytic progression.

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How to Cite

1.
Pité H, Moitinho M, Silva A, Ortigueira I, Dias L, Gomes V. Painful thyroid palpation. Acta Med Port [Internet]. 2011 Dec. 29 [cited 2024 Mar. 28];24(5):821-6. Available from: https://actamedicaportuguesa.com/revista/index.php/amp/article/view/503

Issue

Section

Arquivo Histórico