Ultrasound findings of subacute thyroiditis: a single institution retrospective review

The Effects of Corticosteroid and Nonsteroid Anti-Inflammatory Therapies on Permanent Hypothyroidism Occurring After the Subacute Thyroiditis

OBJECTIVE

Subacute thyroiditis(SAT) is an acute inflammatory, self-limited, and destructive disease of the thyroid gland. Although it is a temporary disease, it has permanent consequences. We aim to investigate the influences of the treatment choice on permanent hypothyroidism occurring after SAT and whether there are predictive factors for the development of permanent hypothyroidism.

METHODS

We retrospectively investigated 57 SAT patients admitted to our tertiary hospital between 2017 and 2019. After excluding 6 patients, demographic, clinical, laboratory, and imaging findings of 36 patients treated with NSAIDs and 15 patients treated with corticosteroids were compared. The median duration of follow-up was 4 (3.5-5.5) years.

RESULTS

Permanent hypothyroidism occurred in 16 patients (31.4%) of 51 patients. It developed at a significantly higher rate in NSAID users (p=0.019). There was no significant difference in the occurrence of transient hypothyroidism and recurrence (p=0.472, p=0.082). The early maximum TSH values were strongly associated with permanent hypothyroidism. The Odds Ratio (OR) value was 2.59 (95% CI = 1.26 - 5.33, p=0.009), Nagelkerke R2 = 0.821. The early maximum TSH level had a predictive value, with an AUC of 0.966 for post-SAT permanent hypothyroidism (p<0.001). The cutoff values for the early maximum TSH were 9.07uIU/ml (81.3% sensitivity, 100% specificity), and 7.05 uIU/ml (87.5% sensitivity, 94.3% specificity).

CONCLUSION

Corticosteroid therapy is significantly effective in preventing permanent hypothyroidism from developing after SAT. The early maximum TSH values are an indicator for the prediction of the development of permanent hypothyroidism.

The diagnostic value of ultrasound on different-sized thyroid nodules based on ACR TI-RADS

OBJECTIVES

The thyroid nodule is one of the most common endocrine system diseases. Risk classification models based on ultrasonic features have been created by multiple professional societies, including the American College of Radiology (ACR), which published the Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System (TI-RADS) in 2017. The effect of the size in the diagnostic value of ultrasound remains not well defined. The purposes of our study aims to explore diagnostic value of the ACR TI-RADS on different-sized thyroid nodules.

METHODS

A total of 1183 thyroid nodules were selected from 952 patients with thyroid nodules confirmed by surgical pathology from January 2021 to October 2022. Based on the maximum diameters of the nodules, they were stratified into groups A ( ≤ 10 mm), B ( > 10 mm, < 20 mm) and C ( ≥ 20 mm). The ultrasonic features of the thyroid nodules in each group were evaluated and scored based on ACR TI-RADS, and the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was plotted to determine the optimal cut-off value for the ACR TI-RADS scores and categories in each group. Finally, the diagnostic efficacy of ACR TI-RADS on different-sized thyroid nodules was analyzed.

RESULTS

Among the 1183 thyroid nodules, 340 were benign, 10 were low-risk and 833 were malignant. For the convenience of statistical analysis, low-risk thyroid nodules were classified as malignant in this study. The ACR TI-RADS scores and categorical levels of malignant thyroid nodules in each group were higher than those of benign ones (p < 0.05). The areas under the ROCs (AUCs) plotted based on scores were 0.741, 0.907, and 0.904 respectively in the three groups, and the corresponding optimal cut-off values were > 6 points, > 5 points and > 4 points respectively. While the AUCs of the ACR TI-RADS categories were 0.668, 0.855, and 0.887 respectively in each group, with the optimal cut-off values were all > TR4. Besides, for thyroid nodules of larger sizes, ACR TI-RADS exhibited weaker sensitivity with lower positive prediction value (PPV), but the specificity and negative prediction value (NPV) were both higher, presenting with statistically significant differences (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

For thyroid nodules of different sizes, the diagnostic efficacy of ACR TI-RADS varies as well. The system shows better diagnostic efficacy on thyroid nodules of > 10 mm than on those ≤ 10 mm. Considering the favorable prognosis of thyroid microcarcinoma and the low diagnostic efficacy of ACR TI-RADS on it, the scoring and classification of thyroid micro-nodules can be left out in appropriate cases, so as to avoid the over-diagnosis and over-treatment of thyroid microcarcinoma to a certain extent.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the incidence, seasonal distribution, and characteristics of subacute thyroiditis

PURPOSE

An increasing number of cases of subacute thyroiditis (SAT) related to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and its vaccines continue to be published. The aim of this study was to investigate any change in the incidence and characteristics of SAT by comparing the pre-pandemic and pandemic periods.

METHODS

This retrospective, single-center study included 432 newly-diagnosed SAT patients between January 2018 and December 2021. The annual frequency of SAT was calculated as the number of newly-diagnosed SAT cases divided by the total number of outpatients that year.

RESULTS

The frequencies of newly-diagnosed SAT were 0.136% in 2018, 0.127% in 2019, 0.157% in 2020, and 0.114% in 2021 (p = 0.19). While SAT patients were clustered in the autumn (35.1%) in 2018 and 2019, it was found that this cluster shifted to the winter (33.0%) in 2020 and 2021, in parallel with COVID-19 case peaks (p = 0.017). The patients were separated into two groups as pre-COVID-19 pandemic SAT (n = 272) and COVID-19 pandemic SAT (n = 160). The mean ages of the groups were similar. There were more male patients in the COVID-19 pandemic SAT group than in the pre-pandemic group (30.6% vs. 18.7%, p = 0.005). Frequencies of overt hyperthyroidism and median free-thyroxine levels were significantly higher in the COVID-19 pandemic SAT group (p = 0.029, p = 0.001). Treatment modalities, recurrence rates, and permanent hypothyroidism were similar in both groups.

CONCLUSION

With the COVID-19 pandemic, although there was a change in seasonal variation of SAT and an increase in the number of male patients, there was no change in the incidence and clinical course of SAT.

Thyroid dysfunction following vaccination with COVID-19 vaccines: a basic review of the preliminary evidence

PURPOSE

The safety and efficacy of the several types of COVID-19 vaccines, including mRNA-based, viral vector-based, and inactivated vaccines, have been approved by WHO. The vaccines can confer protection against severe SARS-CoV-2 infection through induction of the anti-spike protein neutralizing antibodies. However, SARS-CoV-2 vaccines have been associated with very rare complications, such as thyroid disorders. This review was conducted to highlight main features of thyroid abnormalities following COVID-19 vaccination.

METHODS

A comprehensive search within electronic databases was performed to collect reports of thyroid disorders after vaccination with COVID-19 vaccines.

RESULTS

Among 83 reported cases including in this review, the most cases of thyroid abnormalities were observed after vaccination with mRNA-based vaccines (68.7%), followed by viral vector vaccines (15.7%) and 14.5% cases following inactivated vaccines. Subacute thyroiditis (SAT) was the most common COVID-19 vaccination-related thyroid disease, accounting for 60.2% of all cases, followed by Graves' disease (GD) with 25.3%. Moreover, some cases with focal painful thyroiditis (3.6%), silent thyroiditis (3.6%), concurrent GD and SAT (2.4%), thyroid eye disease (1.2%), overt hypothyroidism (1.2%), atypical subacute thyroiditis (1.2%), and painless thyroiditis with TPP (1.2%) were also reported. Overall, in 58.0% of SAT cases and in 61.9% of GD cases, the onset of the symptoms occurred following the first vaccine dose with a median of 10.0 days (ranged: 3-21 days) and 10.0 days (ranged: 1-60 days) after vaccination, respectively. Moreover, 40.0% of SAT patients and 38.1% of GD patients developed the symptoms after the second dose with a median of 10.5 days (ranged: 0.5-37 days) and 14.0 days (ranged: 2-35 days) after vaccination, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Fortunately, almost all cases with COVID-19 vaccination-associated thyroid dysfunctions had a favorable outcome following therapy. The benefits of COVID-19 vaccinations in terms of terminating the pandemic and/or reducing mortality rates can exceed any risk of infrequent complications such as a transient thyroid malfunction.

Incidence of De Quervain's thyroiditis during the COVID-19 pandemic in an area heavily affected by Sars-CoV-2 infection

PURPOSE

To evaluate the possible association between Covid-19 infection and subacute thyroiditis.

METHODS

We reviewed the medical and imaging records of patients referred to our Department's outpatient setting dedicated to 'thyroid emergency' (records with a 'bollino verde'-green sticker, classifed as urgent) from April 2020 to October 2020. This outpatient clinic is devoted to patients requiring evaluation for severe hypothyroidism, thyrotoxicosis and neck discomfort or pain. All patients with a newly-diagnosed subacute thyroiditis were selected. The data of all patients receiving a diagnosis of subacute thyroiditis was collected retrospectively, taking into account the same period of time (April-October) and starting from 2016.

RESULTS

During the COVID-19 outbreak in our region (April 2020 to October 2020) 396 patients attended the outpatient emergency clinic. Among them, 10 (2.5%) patients received a diagnosis of subacute thyroiditis. In a single patient, a 44-year-old man, a COVID-19 pulmonary infection had been diagnosed 7 weeks before the diagnosis of subacute thyroiditis. All of the remaining patients were and remain COVID-19 free as confirmed by telephone interview. The percentage of patients who received a diagnosis of subacute thyroiditis in the same period starting from 2016 was very similar (2.9%, 2.9%, 2.6% and 3.0% in 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Our data do not show an increase in the incidence of subacute thyroiditis in the Brescia area, a region with the highest prevalence of COVID-19 in Italy during the period of the pandemic outbreak.

Reliability of shear wave elastography in the evaluation of diffuse thyroid diseases in children and adolescents

PURPOSE

Thyroid diseases are common yet serious in children that lead to many metabolic and growth disorders; the most common among these are diffuse thyroid diseases (DTD). This study aimed to evaluate the reliability of shear wave elastography (SWE) to differentiate and diagnose DTD from normal thyroid tissue.

METHOD

This prospective study included normal participants and patients with DTD. The subjects were assessed by clinical evaluation, laboratory investigation, conventional ultrasound, and Doppler examination, followed by SWE assessments. Statistical analysis was performed using the t-test and one-way ANOVA test, as appropriate. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to determine the best cutoff values to differentiate healthy participants from those with DTD and to differentiate between different types of DTD.

RESULTS

The study included 74 patients with DTD and 20 healthy participants. The mean SWE values were 10.9 ± 1.78, 12.8 ± 2.1, 15.31 ± 2.95, and 17.26 ± 4.2 kPa for the normal participants and for patients with simple goiter, Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT), or Grave's disease (GD), respectively. Statistically significant differences were noted between the mean SWE of the normal participants and that of patients with DTD, as well as between the mean SWE of patients with different types of DTD (P < 0.05). The best SWE cutoff values to differentiate a normal thyroid from DTD, HT from GD, HT from simple goiter, and GD from simple goiter were 12.8, 17.8, 13.4, and 13.9 kPa, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

SWE is a reliable diagnostic tool for differentiating normal thyroid tissue from DTD, as well as for differentiating between different types of DTD.

Can Subacute Thyroiditis Be a Cause of Fever of Unknown Origin?

Subacute thyroiditis (SAT) is a self-limiting, painful, non-suppurative thyroid gland inflammation, which usually develops two to eight weeks after viral upper respiratory tract infections, accompanied by pain and fever. The thyroid gland is large, painful, and tender. It presents with fever, myalgia, arthralgia, weakness, and sore throat.

A 37-year-old male presented to medical ward with a history of fever for three weeks along with swelling of neck and difficulty in swallowing. The patient had features of hyperthyroidism. High-resolution ultrasonography (HRUSG) and thyroid scan were suggestive of thyroiditis. Later on, on follow-up, the patient developed hypothyroidism. He was managed with antibiotics, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and glucocorticoids, and he responded well to the above treatment. The index patient presented as a case of fever which on workup was found to be secondary to subacute thyroiditis (SAT).

Two Important Issues in Subacute Thyroiditis Management: Delayed Diagnosis and Inappropriate Use of Antibiotics

BACKGROUND

Subacute thyroiditis (SAT) is a rare inflammatory disease of the thyroid gland. It has been noticed that patients with a diagnosis of SAT visit more other clinics and receive antibiotics unnecessarily. Therefore, the aim of this study was to reveal the degree of delay in the diagnosis of SAT, prediagnosis antibiotic use rates, and the awareness of clinics for the diagnosis of SAT.

METHODS

A total of 121 patients with SAT were enrolled in the study. A retrospective analysis was made of the history of patient symptoms during the diagnosis, which physicians they visited, antibiotic use, laboratory test results, and ultrasonographic findings.

RESULTS

The median age of the patients was 41 years. Neck pain radiating to the jaw/ear was seen in most patients (71.1%). The median time from symptom onset to a diagnosis of SAT was 23 days (range, 6-70 days). Antibiotics were erroneously prescribed to 71 patients (58.7%) before the diagnosis. The median time to diagnosis was 28 days in patients using antibiotics and 20 days in the group not using antibiotics (p < 0.001). Two or more physicians had been visited before SAT diagnosis by 89 (73.6%) patients, and more antibiotics were prescribed to these patients than the group who visited fewer physicians (p < 0.05). The frequency of prescribing antibiotics by physicians was 73.7% by emergency physicians, 53.1% by family doctors, 51.1% by ENT specialists, and 35.4% by internal medicine specialists.

CONCLUSION

The diagnosis of SAT is often delayed, and misdiagnosis leads to erroneous antibiotic overuse. Physicians should increase their awareness of the diagnosis of SAT in patients with neck pain.

A case of nontuberculous mycobacteria-associated thyroiditis mimicking subacute thyroiditis

We describe a case of nontuberculous mycobacteria infection in the thyroid gland in a 54-year-old woman who had painful thyroid enlargement. Ultrasonography showed ill-defined hypoechoic lesions without increased vascularity in both upper lobes of the thyroid gland. Fine needle aspiration biopsy was performed, and pathology showed granulomatous inflammation with necrotic debris that the pathologist suspected was subacute granulomatous thyroiditis or tuberculosis of the thyroid gland. Nontuberculous mycobacteria infection was confirmed after right hemithyroidectomy. Antimycobacterial therapy was initiated as the treatment of choice. Nontuberculous mycobacteria in the thyroid gland appear to be rare. In clinical practice, however, it should be considered as a differential diagnosis of a painful thyroid mass. For accurate diagnosis, clinical and radiological features plus histological examination are required.

[Clinical practice guidelines for acute and chronic thyroiditis (excluding autoimmune thyroiditis)]

Острые и хронические заболевания щитовидной железы занимают второе место по выявляемости после сахарного диабета. Всемирная организация здравоохранения отмечает ежегодную тенденцию к увеличению числа заболеваний щитовидной железы. В настоящих клинических рекомендациях будут рассмотрены вопросы этиологии, клинического течения, диагностики и лечения острых и хронических (за исключением аутоиммунного) воспалительных заболеваний щитовидной железы.Клинические рекомендации — это основной рабочий инструмент практикующего врача, как специалиста, так и врача узкой практики. Лаконичность, структурированность сведений об определенной нозологии, методов ее диагностики и лечения, базирующихся на принципах доказательной медицины, позволяют в короткий срок дать тот или иной ответ на интересующий вопрос специалисту, добиваться максимальной эффективности и персонализации лечения.Клинические рекомендации составлены профессиональным сообществом узких специалистов, одобрены экспертным советом Министерства здравоохранения РФ. Представленные рекомендации содержат максимально полную информацию, которая требуется на этапе диагностики острых и хронических тиреоидитов, этапе выбора тактики ведения пациентов с тиреоидитом, а также на этапе лечения пациента.Рабочая группа представляет этот проект в профессиональном журнале, посвященном актуальным проблемам эндокринологии, с целью повышения качества оказываемой медицинской помощи, повышения эффективности лечения острых и хронических тиреоидитов путем ознакомления с полным тестом клинических рекомендаций по острым и хроническим тиреоидитам (исключая аутоиммунный тиреоидит) максимально возможного количества специалистов в области не только эндокринологии, но и медицины общей (семейной) практики.

Painful Subacute Thyroiditis is Commonly Misdiagnosed as Suspicious Thyroid Nodular Disease

Objective

To investigate and characterize the clinical and radiologic features of 10 patients with painful subacute thyroiditis with ultrasound findings considered suspicious for malignancy or for whom biopsy of a suspicious area was recommended by an attending radiologist.

Patients and Methods

Ten patients with painful subacute thyroiditis were seen from June 1, 2016, through January 1, 2019. All 10 patients presented to an endocrine or thyroid clinic with a neck ultrasound report stating findings suspicious for malignancy or nodular disease. Clinical, laboratory, radiographic, and pathologic data were (retrospectively collected and) reviewed.

Results

The mean ± SD patient age was 49.0±15.0 years at diagnosis; 8 patients were female. All the patients presented with a low or undetectable serum thyrotropin level. Six of 7 patients with available inflammatory markers had elevated levels. Thyrotropin receptor antibodies were absent in all 6 patients tested. On follow-up imaging, 8 patients had complete resolution or improvement of described findings, 1 was lost to follow-up, and 1 had an incidental nodule that was biopsied after the episode of thyroiditis and found to be papillary thyroid carcinoma.

Conclusion

Painful subacute thyroiditis demonstrates specific sonographic patterns that may be misdiagnosed as suspicious thyroid nodular disease. Recognition of the innocent and transient nature of these findings is important for the proper management and monitoring of these patients.

2020 Chinese guidelines for ultrasound malignancy risk stratification of thyroid nodules: the C-TIRADS

Thyroid nodules are very common all over the world, and China is no exception. Ultrasound plays an important role in determining the risk stratification of thyroid nodules, which is critical for clinical management of thyroid nodules. For the past few years, many versions of TIRADS (Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System) have been put forward by several institutions with the aim to identify whether nodules require fine-needle biopsy or ultrasound follow-up. However, no version of TIRADS has been widely adopted worldwide till date. In China, as many as ten versions of TIRADS have been used in different hospitals nationwide, causing a lot of confusion. With the support of the Superficial Organ and Vascular Ultrasound Group of the Society of Ultrasound in Medicine of the Chinese Medical Association, the Chinese-TIRADS that is in line with China's national conditions and medical status was established based on literature review, expert consensus, and multicenter data provided by the Chinese Artificial Intelligence Alliance for Thyroid and Breast Ultrasound.

Strong Correlation between HLA and Clinical Course of Subacute Thyroiditis-A Report of the Three Siblings

Subacute thyroiditis (SAT) is a thyroid inflammatory disease with susceptibility associated with the presence of human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-B*35, -B*18:01, -DRB1*01 and -C*04:01. Previous viral infection is considered as a triggering factor in genetically predisposed individuals. The influence of HLA on the SAT course was previously suggested. We aim to present the three siblings-female twins and their brother-with very close onset but different clinical courses of SAT, which appeared to be HLA-dependent. The HLA profile in the reported three siblings is strongly correlated with both SAT and Graves' disease (GD), however the coexistence of particular sets of high risk and protective alleles seems to be crucial for the GD development and the SAT course. The co-occurrence of HLA-DRB1*15:01 and/or -B*07:02, possibly together with the lack of HLA-A*01:01 and -B*41:01 seems to be key factors protecting against the development of GD with high TRAb levels, as well as against the recurrent SAT course and steroid dependence.

The Importance of Vitamin D Level in Subacute Thyroiditis Disease and the Effect of Vitamin D on Disease Prognosis

OBJECTIVE

Subacute thyroiditis (SAT) is an inflammatory thyroid disease that manifests with severe pain. The presence of the vitamin D receptor in immune system cells shows that vitamin D deficiency can trigger inflammatory diseases. The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in SAT patients, and the relationship between vitamin D level and permanent hypothyroidism and recurrence rate.

METHODS

In this retrospective study, 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) levels of 170 SAT patients and 86 control subjects were compared.

RESULTS

The 25(OH)D levels were significantly lower in the SAT patients, and there was no seasonal difference. A negative correlation was determined between the erythrocyte sedimentation rate and 25(OH)D, but no significant relationship was found between vitamin D level and prognosis.

CONCLUSION

As a result of this study, it was shown that vitamin D levels in subacute thyroiditis patients were significantly lower than in the healthy control group. Although there is no relationship between vitamin D level and disease prognosis, vitamin D deficiency may increase the rate of respiratory tract infections (especially, influenza, coxsackievirus, measles, adenovirus, retroviruses) and eventually SAT development.

RECURRENT PAINFUL HASHIMOTO THYROIDITIS SUCCESSFULLY TREATED BY THYROIDECTOMY

Objective

Painful Hashimoto thyroiditis (HT) is a rare HT variant characterized by neck pain. The clinical differentiation between painful HT and subacute thyroiditis is challenging, as the diagnosis cannot be confirmed without histopathological evidence. Here we present a patient who had anterior neck pain who was diagnosed with HT.

Methods

We present the patient's clinical examinations and laboratory findings (white blood cell count, thyroid-stimulating hormone, free thyroxine, thyroid peroxidase antibody, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate). Ultrasound images of the thyroid gland and pathology images representative of marked HT with positive IgG4 immunohistochemical stain after thyroidectomy are also presented.

Results

A 42-year-old female with a 3-year history of HT developed recurrent anterior neck pain with bilateral radiation to the ears as well as a tender, enlarging thyroid goiter. She had no signs of fever or a preceding infection of the upper respiratory tract. Her pain was only temporarily alleviated by oral corticosteroids. According to the serial ultrasound records, both thyroid lobes decreased in size after 2 pain episodes. She eventually underwent total thyroidectomy and remained pain-free for 1.5 years, up to the last office follow-up visit. Histopathology confirmed the diagnosis of HT.

Conclusion

In patients with HT, recurrent thyroid pain despite steroid treatment is the clinical hallmark of diagnosis of painful HT. The reference standard of diagnosis is pathology. Thyroidectomy may be considered after recurrent painful episodes.

Thyroid Ultrasound: Diffuse and Nodular Disease

Thyroid ultrasound with gray-scale and color Doppler is the most helpful imaging modality to differentiate normal thyroid parenchyma from diffuse or nodular thyroid disease by evaluating glandular size, echogenicity, echotexture, margins, and vascularity. The various causes of diffuse thyroid disease often have overlapping sonographic imaging features. Thyroid nodules may be hyperplastic or neoplastic, with most due to benign hyperplastic changes in architecture and benign follicular adenomas; only a small percentage are malignant. A systematic approach to nodule morphology that includes evaluation of composition, echogenicity, margin, shape, and any echogenic foci can guide decision to biopsy or follow nodules.

Factitious thyrotoxicosis: how to find it

Background

Although the most common cause of thyrotoxicosis is Graves’ disease, the determination of the cause of thyrotoxicosis is important for establishing appropriate management. Diagnosis of surreptitious ingestion of thyroid hormones or factitious thyrotoxicosis often presents a difficult challenge especially in a patient with previously diagnosed Graves’ disease. The objective of this report was to demonstrate various approaches to support the diagnosis of factitious thyrotoxicosis.

Case presentation

We describe a patient with underlying Graves’ disease who underwent definitive therapy and needed long-term levothyroxine (LT4) replacement therapy. Later she developed thyrotoxicosis. Although factitious thyrotoxicosis was suspected because of very low thyroid uptake and low thyroglobulin (Tg) levels with the absence of thyroglobulin antibodies (TgAbs), she still refused any medication or substance use. After the administration of bile acid sequestrant, the thyroid hormone levels rapidly returned to normal within 1 month.

Conclusions

The diagnosis of factitious thyrotoxicosis is based upon the absence of goiter, suppressed serum Tg level, decreased radioactive iodine (RAI) uptake, and excellent response after cholestyramine treatment.

The contribution of ultrasonographic findings to the prognosis of subacute thyroiditis

OBJECTIVE

Ultrasound assessment plays an important role in the diagnosis, and monitoring of subacute thyroiditis (SAT). However, the relationship between ultrasonographic findings and severity or prognosis of the disease is not known. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the relationship between bilateral and unilateral disease involvement and severity and prognosis of the disease.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

The initial laboratory values, ultrasonographic findings and long-term outcomes of 247 SAT patients were evaluated retrospectively.

RESULTS

In the ultrasonographic evaluation, bilateral involvement was detected in 154 patients, and unilateral involvement in 93 patients at the time of diagnosis. No significant difference was found between patients with bilateral or unilateral disease at the time of diagnosis in respect of the initial acute phase reactants. FT4 was significantly higher and TSH was significantly lower in the group with bilateral disease. Bilobar or unilobar disease on ultrasound at the time of diagnosis was not found to be a risk factor for permanent hypothyroidism or recurrence. The mean thyroid volume was determined to be 22.5 ± 10 cm3 at the beginning of treatment, and 11.2 ± 8 cm3 at the end of treatment. The initial thyroid volume and the thyroid volume at the end of treatment were significantly lower in patients who developed hypothyroidism.

CONCLUSION

There was no relationship between initial acute phase reactants and bilateral or unilateral involvement of the disease. FT4 levels were found to be associated with the extension of the disease. The risk of recurrence and permanent hypothyroidism are not associated with the initial ultrasonographic aspect. Arch Endocrinol Metab. 2020;64(3):306-11.

The prognostic and diagnostic use of hematological parameters in subacute thyroiditis patients

BACKGROUND

Subacute thyroiditis (SAT) is an acute inflammatory disease of the thyroid. Mean platelet volume (MPV), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) values determined from peripheral blood, are accepted as available and practical indicators of systemic inflammation. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the value of hematological parameters in the diagnosis and prognosis of subacute thyroiditis patients.

METHODS

This retrospective study included 306 SAT patients and 102 healthy control subjects. Retrospective analyses were made of age, gender, complete blood counts, C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), thyroid function tests, NLR, PLR, and thyroid volume of the patients and the results were compared with the control group.

RESULTS

The mean follow-up time of patients was 29.5 ± 14 months. The ESR, CRP, white blood cell (WBC) count, neutrophil count, hemoglobin, platelet counts, NLR, and PLR were significantly higher in the SAT patients. MPV and lymphocyte count were significantly lower in the SAT patients. The rates of recurrence and permanent hypothyroidism were 15.4% and 9.8%, respectively. The values of ESR, CRP, NLR, PLR, and MPV at the time of diagnosis were not determined to have any effect on recurrence or the development of permanent hypothyroidism.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this study showed higher PLR and NLR values in SAT patients compared with healthy control subjects, and a lower MPV value. These findings demonstrate that the assessment of hematological parameters in conjunction with radiological and clinical findings will assist in establishing an accurate diagnosis, especially in complicated SAT cases.

Subacute Thyroiditis is Associated with HLA-B*18:01, -DRB1*01 and -C*04:01-The Significance of the New Molecular Background

Subacute thyroiditis (SAT) is a thyroid inflammatory disease whose pathogenesis is still not completely defined. Previous viral infection is considered to be a triggering factor in genetically predisposed individuals. In about 70% of patients, susceptibility to SAT is associated with the HLA-B*35 allele. The correlation between SAT and other human leukocyte antigens (HLA) has not yet been unequivocally demonstrated and the genetic background is still unknown in about 30% of patients. The purpose of our study was to perform HLA genotyping using a next-generation sequencing method, to find out whether alleles other than HLA-B*35 are correlated with SAT morbidity. HLA-A, -B, -C, -DQB1, -DRB1 were genotyped using a next-generation sequencing method in 1083 subjects, including 60 SAT patients and 1023 healthy controls. Among 60 patients diagnosed with SAT, 81.7% of subjects were identified as having allele HLA-B*35, 23.3% had HLA-B*18:01, 28.3% had HLA-DRB1*01 and 75.5% had HLA-C*04:01. These alleles occurred in the control group at frequencies of 10.2%, 7.2%, 12.9% and 12.5%, respectively. The differences were statistically significant, with p < 0.05. In addition to its previously described relationship with HLA-B*35, genetic susceptibility to SAT was associated with the presence of HLA-B*18:01, DRB1*01 and C*04:01. The alleles HLA-B*18:01 and DRB1*01 were independent SAT risk factors. The assessment of these four alleles allows the confirmation of genetic predisposition in almost all patients with SAT.

The Risk of Recurrence of Subacute Thyroiditis Is HLA-Dependent

The frequency of recurrence of subacute thyroiditis (SAT) is rather high, reaching 20–30%. The reason for SAT relapse is still unknown. Recently, we have demonstrated the association between SAT and the presence of HLA-B*18:01, DRB1*01, and C*04:01, apart from the previously known HLA-B*35. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the correlation between SAT-associated HLA haplotypes and the risk of SAT recurrence. HLA-A, -B, -C, -DQB1 and -DRB1 were genotyped using a next-generation sequencing method in 49 SAT patients. The patients were divided into the following HLA groups: 1. HLA-B*35 and/or HLA-C*04, but without any other of the analyzed antigens; 2. HLA-DRB1*01, regardless of the co-presence of HLA-B*35 or -C*04:01, but without HLA-B*18:01; 3. HLA-B18 only, without any other antigen; 4. HLA-B*18:01 plus -B*35, regardless of the presence of any other analyzed antigens. The recurrence rate was compared between the groups. The recurrence rate was significantly increased in patients with HLA-B*18:01 plus HLA-B*35. In conclusion, the risk of SAT recurrence was HLA-dependent and the determining factor was the co-presence of HLA-B*18:01 and -B*35. In such high-risk patients, the steroid treatment regimen should be intensified with a slower dose reduction.

Sonographic Pattern of Subacute Thyroiditis Is HLA-Dependent

Background: Since 1977 the susceptibility to SAT has been known to be HLA-B*35-related in ~70% of patients. Recently it has been demonstrated that SAT is associated with the presence of HLA-B*18:01 and DRB1*01, as well as with HLA-C*04:01. The association between the type of genetic SAT background and sonographic pattern of the disease has never been analyzed. The aim of the study was to evaluate the potential correlation between the presence of individual HLA haplotypes and the sonographic SAT pattern, and to provide the US characteristics of the analyzed SAT cases. Methods: HLA-A, -B, -C, -DQB1, and -DRB1 were genotyped using a next-generation sequencing method in 46 SAT patients. All patients were divided into the following groups according to the HLA haplotype: 1. HLA-B*35 and/or HLA-C*04, but without any other of the analyzed antigens; 2. HLA-DRB1*01, regardless of the co-presence of HLA-B*35 or C*04:01, but without HLA-B*18:01; 3. HLA-B*18:01 only, without any other of the analyzed antigens; 4. HLA-B*18:01 plus B*35, regardless of the presence of any other analyzed antigens. The US patterns of SAT thyroid lesions were compared among the groups. Results: The US image of SAT lesions in Groups 1 and 2 were similar. The typical SAT features for these groups were as follows: hypoechoic, strongly heterogeneous, bilateral, multiple areas, with decreased vascularization, usually oval with blurred margins, infrequently affecting the whole lobe, or having nodule-like pattern. Several features of Group 3 were different from the other groups. In 60% of cases lesions were rather homogeneous, and in 100%-hypoechoic, in 80% of patients there was only one unilateral single SAT area filling the whole affected lobe. On the contrary to the other groups, in Group 4 no lesion was oval in shape. Conclusions: Our results provide for the first time the evidence that the US pattern of SAT lesions depends on HLA, and the determining factor is the presence of HLA-B*18:01. The deviations from the typical SAT US image are mostly pronounced in patients with the presence of only HLA-B*18:01, without any other analyzed haplotype. Further research is necessary to explain this phenomenon.

Clostridium difficilecolitis in the setting of subacute thyroiditis: the chicken or the egg

Subacutethyroiditis is a self-limited inflammatory condition commonly of viral aetiology, that manifests through phases of thyroid hormone changes over a 6–8 month period. A 24-year-old active duty military man, undergoing treatment for recurrentClostridiumdifficileinfection, presented for clinical evaluation and was found to have a thyroid stimulating hormone level of 0.003 mg/dL. Further labs revealed a normal T4, elevated T3 at 5.0 pg/mL and elevated C reactive protein at 3.69 mg/L. The patient was followed with monthly labs and the abnormal thyroid stimulating hormone and triiodothyronine levels resolved after the completion of hisC. difficiletreatment. While subacute thyroiditis has historically been due to viral causes, rarely do we see this condition associated with an intestinal bacterial source.

Painful Hashimoto's thyroiditis: myth or reality?

Neck pain is a common complain, being in most cases due to non-thyroidal causes. However, a minority of patients suffer from painful thyroid diseases. Among them, sub-acute thyroiditis (SAT) is the most frequent one. Rare thyroid-related causes of neck pain include hemorrhage within a thyroid nodule as well as Riedel's thyroiditis and suppurative thyroiditis. In the last 30 years, a few cases of a painful variant of Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) have been described. Biochemical, ultrasound, and histologic features were clearly suggestive for HT in all of the published cases and definitely ruled out the diagnosis of SAT. While sound descriptions of painful HT are present in the literature, it is important to emphasize that only 20 cases were reported from the year 2000 until now. The condition, however, is clinically relevant because neck pain was reported to be refractory both to steroids and to other analgesic drugs, being thyroidectomy the only effective treatment for pain relief in these patients. This short review analyzes currently available data supporting a role for HT as a rare cause of neck pain.

IS THERE A DRUG EFFECT ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF PERMANENT HYPOTHYROIDISM IN SUBACUTE THYROIDITIS?

Context

Subacute thyroiditis (SAT) is a transient inflammatory disease that occurs often after an upper respiratory tract infection. Permanent hypothyroidism ratio is reported in 5-26% of the SAT patients.

Objective

In this study, we tried to compare the treatment options on permanent hypothyroidism in our SAT patients.

Design

It is a retrospective study. The medical records of SAT patients between 2010 and 2015 were analysed.

Subjects and Methods

The medical records of 81 patients were analysed for demographic data, laboratory and clinical course, treatment and 1 year outcome. 81 patients were classified in steroid (n=29), nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) (n=33) and steroid+NSAID (n=19) groups.

Results

Male/female ratio was similar and female domination was demonstrated in all groups. In the steroid and NSAID groups the pretreatment thyroid function tests were diagnosed as hyperthyroidism. In the steroid+NSAID group they were not diagnosed as hyperthyroidism in the beginning. In all groups the thyroid function tests were all in normal levels (p>0.05) one year later. In all groups the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were increased in the pretreatment period and decreased with the treatment. In total, right lobe involvement of thyroiditis was more detected (40/81 (49%)) (p=0.018). Permanent hypothyroidism observed in steroid, NSAID, and steroid+NSAID groups were 7/29 (24%), 5/33 (15%), 3/19 (16%) respectively (p>0.05).

Conclusion

In this study, treatment drug option did not affect the permanent hypothyroidism one year after in our SAT patients.

de Quervain's thyroiditis: A review of experience with surgery

BACKGROUND

de Quervain's thyroiditis is an inflammatory condition of the thyroid mostly treated medically, rarely requiring surgical treatment. We intend to review the surgical experience with de Quervain's thyroiditis at a tertiary cancer center over a period of 22years.

METHODS

A retrospective review of medical records from 1992 to 2014 at a tertiary cancer center was performed and all patients with a histopathological diagnosis of de Quervain's thyroiditis were included.

RESULTS

Ten patients with a histopathological diagnosis of de Quervain's thyroiditis were included in the study. One patient in the study presented with dysphagia due to the goiter. The remaining patients presented with thyroid nodules. None presented with typical symptoms of the disease. Seven of the ten patients that had been evaluated for a goiter at an outside facility underwent fine needle aspiration cytology. Of the seven patients, one patient was suspected to have medullary carcinoma of the thyroid, two had follicular neoplasia, and the others had indeterminate nodules. Eight of the ten patients underwent surgery for suspected malignancy, with eight receiving a total thyroidectomy and two patients getting a thyroid lobectomy with isthmusectomy. Two patients had an abnormally hard gland to palpate during surgery with the others not having any suspicious findings. Seven of the ten of the patients had lymph node sampling from level 6 and all were benign on final pathology. The mean duration of post-operative follow-up was 15months. There was no morbidity associated with surgery in any of these patients with eight of the ten patients requiring thyroid hormone replacement. None of the patients needed further neck surgery for thyroid disease.

CONCLUSION

de Quervain's thyroiditis is an inflammatory condition of the thyroid that is rarely treated surgically. However when presentation is atypical and the FNAC is inconclusive or is suspicious for a malignancy, patients receive surgery putting them at a risk for morbidity. Good clinical assessment with combined use of ultrasound with FNAC especially read by an experienced cytopathologist has the potential to reduce unnecessary operative intervention.

Painful thyroid nodule, a misleading presentation of subacute thyroiditis

Typical presentation of subacute thyroiditis (SAT) is an anterior neck pain radiating up to the jaw and ear, often associated with asthenia and fever. Biology shows hyperthyroidism and inflammation. The thyroid uptake is low at scintigraphy. However, the clinical presentation of SAT may be misleading. We report two cases of SAT whose initial manifestation was a painful thyroid nodule suspected of malignancy. In both cases, ultrasound feature was a heterogeneous, hypoechoic, ill-defined area with a low vascularization on colour Doppler. These areas were interpreted by radiologist as nodules. Surgery was then considered. Such a presentation should be known by clinicians to prevent unnecessary surgery.

2016 American Thyroid Association Guidelines for Diagnosis and Management of Hyperthyroidism and Other Causes of Thyrotoxicosis

BACKGROUND

Thyrotoxicosis has multiple etiologies, manifestations, and potential therapies. Appropriate treatment requires an accurate diagnosis and is influenced by coexisting medical conditions and patient preference. This document describes evidence-based clinical guidelines for the management of thyrotoxicosis that would be useful to generalist and subspecialty physicians and others providing care for patients with this condition.

METHODS

The American Thyroid Association (ATA) previously cosponsored guidelines for the management of thyrotoxicosis that were published in 2011. Considerable new literature has been published since then, and the ATA felt updated evidence-based guidelines were needed. The association assembled a task force of expert clinicians who authored this report. They examined relevant literature using a systematic PubMed search supplemented with additional published materials. An evidence-based medicine approach that incorporated the knowledge and experience of the panel was used to update the 2011 text and recommendations. The strength of the recommendations and the quality of evidence supporting them were rated according to the approach recommended by the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation Group.

RESULTS

Clinical topics addressed include the initial evaluation and management of thyrotoxicosis; management of Graves' hyperthyroidism using radioactive iodine, antithyroid drugs, or surgery; management of toxic multinodular goiter or toxic adenoma using radioactive iodine or surgery; Graves' disease in children, adolescents, or pregnant patients; subclinical hyperthyroidism; hyperthyroidism in patients with Graves' orbitopathy; and management of other miscellaneous causes of thyrotoxicosis. New paradigms since publication of the 2011 guidelines are presented for the evaluation of the etiology of thyrotoxicosis, the management of Graves' hyperthyroidism with antithyroid drugs, the management of pregnant hyperthyroid patients, and the preparation of patients for thyroid surgery. The sections on less common causes of thyrotoxicosis have been expanded.

CONCLUSIONS

One hundred twenty-four evidence-based recommendations were developed to aid in the care of patients with thyrotoxicosis and to share what the task force believes is current, rational, and optimal medical practice.

Subacute granulomatous (De Quervain's) thyroiditis: Fine-needle aspiration cytology and ultrasonographic characteristics of 21 cases

Background:

Subacute granulomatous thyroiditis (SGT) is an inflammatory disease that presents with different clinical and cytological characteristics. Although the diagnosis is generally made clinically, imaging methods and fine-needle aspiration (FNA) may provide assistance, particularly in atypical cases. The objective of this study is to reveal the ultrasonographic (USG) and cytological characteristics of SGT.

Materials and Methods:

The clinical, USG and cytological findings of 21 cases diagnosed with SGT were reviewed.

Results:

Ultrasonographic data was available in 20 cases. A hypoechoic thyroid nodule with irregular margins was detected in 12 of the 20 total cases. Of these, 9 cases complained about pain in the thyroid lodge and generally had unilateral lesions, heterogeneous and hypoechoic areas with indistinct margins, rather than nodular lesions, which were seen in 7 cases. Cytologically, the multinuclear giant cells (MNGCs) found in all cases were accompanied by a dirty background containing varying numbers of granulomatous structures, including isolated epithelioid histiocytes, proliferated/regenerated follicle epithelium cells and inflammatory cells and colloid.

Conclusion:

Though hypoechoic and heterogeneous areas with irregular margins are strongly associated with thyroiditis, SGT may also appear as painful or painless hypoechoic, solid nodules and generate challenges in differential diagnosis. Although the most remarkable characteristic observed in FNA cytology was the presence of multiple MNGCs with cytoplasm, a dirty background accompanied by mild-moderate cellularity, degenerated-proliferated follicular epithelium cells, rare epithelioid granulomas and mixed type inflammatory cells are characteristic for SGT. The assessment of these radiological and cytological findings in conjunction with clinical findings will assist in the achievement of an accurate diagnosis.

Suspicious sonographic and cytological findings in patients with subacute thyroiditis: Two case reports

We here report on two cases of suspicious cytological findings upon ultrasound (US)-guided fine-needle aspiration (US-FNA) in patients with subacute thyroiditis (SAT). A 46-year-old woman who underwent US-FNA for a suspicious thyroid nodule in the right lobe at a local clinic was referred to our hospital for surgical treatment. Based on the cytology results, total thyroidectomy was performed. The histopathology findings confirmed the presence of SAT in the right lobe and absence of thyroid malignancy. A 40-year-old woman with a thyroid nodule in the left lobe with suspicious cytological findings upon US-FNA was referred to our hospital for surgical treatment. However, neck US revealed typical sonographic findings of SAT. On follow-up US 3 months later, near complete disappearance of the typical sonographic findings of SAT was observed, while a hypoechoic solid thyroid nodule in the left upper lobe was clearly visualized. Accordingly, US-FNA was performed for the hypoechoic thyroid nodule. Papillary thyroid carcinoma was suspected on the basis of the cytology findings; histopathologically, SAT was confirmed in both thyroid lobes and a papillary thyroid carcinoma was confirmed in the left lobe.

Subacute thyroiditis: clinical presentation and long term outcome

Few studies have been reported from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (SA) to describe the clinical presentation and long term outcomes of subacute thyroiditis (SAT). Our aim was to review the demographic, anthropometric, clinical presentation, laboratory results, treatment, and disease outcome in Riyadh region and to compare those with results from different regions of the Kingdom and different parts of the world. We reviewed the medical files of patients who underwent thyroid uptake scan during an 8-year period in King Khalid University Hospital. Only 25 patients had confirmed diagnosis of thyroiditis. Age and gender distribution were similar to other studies. Most patients presented with palpitation, goiter, and weight change. Elevated thyroid hormones, suppressed thyroid-stimulating hormone, and elevated ESR were reported. Among those, 7 cases of SAT were recorded. β -Blockers were prescribed to 57% and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to 29% of SAT. Long follow-up demonstrated that 85.7% of SAT cases recovered, while 14.3% developed permanent hypothyroidism. In conclusion, SAT is uncommon in the central region of SA. Compared to the western region, corticosteroid is not commonly prescribed, and permanent hypothyroidism is not uncommon. A nation-wide epidemiological study to explain these interprovincial differences is warranted.