Thyroid Abscess: Presentation and Management: A Case Report in Adult Patient

Abstract

Introduction: Thyroid abscess is an uncommon condition. This is due to: 1) anatomical factors in the form of rich blood supply and well developed capsule; and 2) physiological factors such as high iodine content. Both Acute Suppurative Thyroiditis (AST) and thyroid abscess represent 0.1 to 0.7% of the thyroid lesions managed surgically. Aim: To raise the clinical suspicion of this condition among clinicians so that it can be diagnosed early and complications may be avoided. Case presentation: Here we reported a case of thyroid abcess in a diabetic lady with long standing goiter, who underwent an urgent subtotal thyroidectomy as definitive treatment. Conclusion: Thyroid abscess is an uncommon condition; most of the time there is a delay in diagnosis due to less suspicions which can lead to serious morbidity.

Keywords: Thyroid abcess, suppurative thyroiditis, incision and drainage