Recurrent acute suppurative thyroiditis in a child: case report.

Abstract

A 23-month-old girl presented with a history of persistent fever and growing left anterior neck mass following an upper respiratory tract infection. Laboratory studies revealed leukocytosis, elevated levels of the erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein, and a mild impairment of thyroid function. Thyroid scan showed a decreased radioactive iodine uptake of the left thyroid gland. Culture of the thyroid aspirate grew the mixed flora, viridans streptococci, Prevotella spp, and Peptostreptococcus magnus. She was discharged after a surgical drainage and a 14-day course of penicillin-G therapy. Unfortunately, she was readmitted for the resembling problems, the fever and progressing left anterior neck mass 3 months later. Culture of thyroid aspirate also grew the viridans streptococci. She recovered after a 14-day course of penicillin-G therapy. A left pyriform sinus fistula was found by barium esophagogram. A selective operation was performed 8 weeks later.

• Authors: C F Hsu, C C Wang, M C Tsai, C F Huang, Y H Chen, M L Chu
• Journal: Journal of microbiology, immunology, and infection = Wei mian yu gan ran za zhi (J Microbiol Immunol Infect) Vol. 31 Issue 3 Pg. 193-6 (Sep 1998) ISSN: 1684-1182 [Print] England
• PMID: 10496157 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Topics

• Acute Disease
• Female
• Fistula (complications)
• Humans
• Infant
• Recurrence
• Thyroid Diseases (complications)
• Thyroiditis, Suppurative (etiology)