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[A Somali man with a painful thyroid mass: thyroid tuberculosis]
H F Borggreve1, A Kiers, L J M de Heide
1Medisch Centrum Leeuwarden, afd. Inwendige Geneeskunde, Postbus 888, 8901 BR Leeuwarden. hella.borggreve@znb.nl
Nederlands Tijdschrift Voor Geneeskunde
|September 15, 2005
Summary
A rare case of thyroid tuberculosis in a young man was diagnosed using fine needle aspiration. Prompt treatment with antituberculosis agents led to a full recovery, highlighting the importance of considering this diagnosis in endemic and immigrant populations.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Infectious Diseases
- Oncology
Background:
- Thyroid tuberculosis is a rare form of extrapulmonary tuberculosis.
- It is often seen in developing countries but is increasingly relevant in immigrant populations.
- Differential diagnosis for painful thyroid masses includes various thyroiditis types and hemorrhage.
Observation:
- A 21-year-old male immigrant presented with a painful thyroid mass, fatigue, weight loss, and fever.
- Initial antibiotic treatment was ineffective, and thyroid function tests were normal.
- Chest X-ray revealed enlarged hilum with pulmonary infiltration.
Findings:
- Fine needle aspiration cytology, microbiology, and PCR confirmed thyroid tuberculosis.
- Treatment with standard antituberculosis agents resulted in complete clinical remission.
Implications:
- This case underscores the importance of considering thyroid tuberculosis in the differential diagnosis of painful thyroid masses, especially in immigrant patients.
- Early diagnosis and appropriate antituberculosis therapy are crucial for favorable outcomes.
- Increased global migration necessitates awareness of rare extrapulmonary tuberculosis presentations.