title: Primary thyroid tuberculosis: a rare etiology of hypothyroidism and anterior cervical mass mimicking carcinoma.
abstract: 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.
authors: Disciplina de Endocrinologia, Departamento de Clínica Médica, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brasil.
authors: Bradley Paulino da
authors: BP
authors: Silva
authors: Erico Gurgel
authors: EG
authors: Amorim
authors: Elizabeth João
authors: EJ
authors: Pavin
authors: Antonio Santos
authors: AS
authors: Martins
authors: Patrícia Sabino de
authors: PS
authors: Matos
authors: Denise Engelbrecht
authors: DE
authors: Zantut-Wittmann
mesh_terms: 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*