Cryptococcal thyroiditis: report of a case diagnosed by fine-needle aspiration cytology

A 54-yr-old female diabetic presented with a febrile illness and respiratory distress associated with bilateral alveolar infiltration. The left lobe of the thyroid gland was enlarged and failed to concentrate pertechnetate. The patient was euthyroid. Cryptococcus neoformans was recognized in a fine-needle aspirate and was confirmed by culture; it was also grown in blood culture. Death was attributed to the respiratory condition. This report emphasizes the emergence of mycotic infections of the thyroid and presents an efficient method for their identification.