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Updated: Jun 26, 2026
10:19
Substernal Thyroid Biopsy Using Endobronchial Ultrasound-guided Transbronchial Needle Aspiration
Published on: November 10, 2014
Primary tuberculosis of the thyroid gland
Ines Zendah1, Hafaoua Daghfous, Sonia Ben Mrad
1Abderrahmene Mami Hospital of Pneumology, C Pneumology Department, Tunis, Tunisia. ines_zen@yahoo.fr
Hormones (Athens, Greece)
|January 6, 2009
Summary
Thyroid tuberculosis is a rare condition that presents with non-specific symptoms, making diagnosis challenging. Early recognition and appropriate anti-tuberculosis treatment are crucial for favorable outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Infectious Diseases
- Pathology
Background:
- Thyroid tuberculosis (TB) is exceptionally rare, even in endemic regions.
- Diagnosis is frequently delayed due to the absence of distinctive clinical features.
Observation:
- A 47-year-old woman presented with a painful neck swelling and ultrasonographic evidence of thyroid nodules and enlarged lymph nodes.
- Initial investigations, including thyroid function tests, inflammatory markers, and tuberculin skin test, were inconclusive.
- No signs of disseminated tuberculosis were detected in other organs.
Findings:
- Surgical removal of the thyroid nodule and lymph node biopsy revealed necrotizing epithelioid granulomas with Langhans' giant cells, confirming thyroid tuberculosis.
- Histopathological examination was key to establishing the diagnosis.
Implications:
- This case underscores the importance of considering thyroid tuberculosis in the differential diagnosis of thyroid nodules, particularly in endemic areas.
- Prompt initiation of a standard anti-tuberculosis regimen led to a favorable clinical outcome.
- Highlights the need for increased awareness among clinicians regarding this rare presentation of tuberculosis.
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