Minocycline-induced black thyroid gland: Medical curiosity or a marker for papillary cancer?
OBJECTIVE
Black pigmentation of the thyroid gland is a rare side effect of minocycline.


METHODS
Only 26 cases, in addition to the 2 we present, have been reported in the literature. Eleven cases of thyroid carcinoma associated with black thyroid syndrome have been reported.


CONCLUSIONS
The incidence of papillary cancer may be increased in thyroid glands stained by the minocycline pigment, which warrants an increased index of suspicion in patients who develop thyroid nodules and have previously been treated with minocycline.
Birkedal
C
C
Department of Surgery, Baptist Health Systems, Birmingham, Alabama, USA.
Tapscott
W J
WJ
Giadrosich
K
K
Spence
R K
RK
Sperling
D
D