Primary thyroid tuberculosis: a rare etiology of hypothyroidism and anterior cervical mass mimicking carcinoma.
OBJECTIVE
The involvement of the thyroid by tuberculosis (TB) is rare. Hypothyroidism caused by tissue destruction is an extremely rare report. Our aim was to report a patient with primary thyroid TB emphasizing the importance of diagnosis, despite the rarity of the occurrence.


METHODS
Women, 62 years old, showing extensive cervical mass since four months, referring lack of appetite, weight loss, dysphagia and dysphonia. Laboratorial investigation revealed primary hypothyroidism. Cervical ultrasound: expansive lesion in left thyroid lobe, involving adjacent muscle. Computed tomography scan: 13 cm diameter cervical mass with central necrosis. Fine needle biopsy: hemorrhagic material.


METHODS
total thyroidectomy, left radical neck dissection and protective tracheotomy. The pathological examination showed chronic granulomatous inflammatory process with areas of caseous necrosis and lymph node involvement. The thyroid baciloscopy was positive. Pulmonary disease was absent. The patient was treated with antituberculosis drugs.


CONCLUSIONS
Thyroid TB is not frequent, and should be considered as differential diagnosis of hypothyroidism and anterior cervical mass.
Silva
Bradley Paulino da
BP
Disciplina de Endocrinologia, Departamento de Clínica Médica, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brasil.
Amorim
Erico Gurgel
EG
Pavin
Elizabeth João
EJ
Martins
Antonio Santos
AS
Matos
Patrícia Sabino de
PS
Zantut-Wittmann
Denise Engelbrecht
DE
D002277:Carcinoma / Q000175:diagnosis; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D007037:Hypothyroidism / Q000209:etiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D013959:Thyroid Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology*; D014383:Tuberculosis, Endocrine / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology*