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Cervical thymic cyst as a cause of acute suppurative thyroiditis
O Ozaki1, T Sugimoto, A Suzuki
1Surgical Branch, Ito Hospital, Tokyo, Japan.
The Japanese Journal of Surgery
|September 1, 1990
Summary
A rare case of acute suppurative thyroiditis in an 8-year-old boy was linked to a perithyroidal abscess. This abscess likely originated from an infected cervical thymic cyst, highlighting an unusual cause of thyroid infection.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Head and Neck Surgery
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Acute suppurative thyroiditis is a rare condition, often presenting with neck pain and swelling.
- Cervical thymic cysts are congenital anomalies that can become infected, leading to abscess formation.
- The differential diagnosis for neck masses in children includes infections, cysts, and developmental abnormalities.
Observation:
- An 8-year-old boy presented with left anterior neck swelling and tenderness.
- Ultrasonography revealed a hypoechoic area around the thyroid gland.
- Incisional drainage identified Streptococcus milleri, leading to a diagnosis of acute suppurative thyroiditis.
Findings:
- A perithyroidal abscess was identified as the cause of the acute suppurative thyroiditis.
- Surgical resection of a cystic mass revealed thymic and parathyroid tissue.
- Histopathology confirmed the presence of thymic tissue within the perithyroidal abscess.
Implications:
- This case suggests that infected cervical thymic cysts can lead to perithyroidal abscesses and subsequent acute suppurative thyroiditis.
- Highlights the importance of considering congenital anomalies in the etiology of neck infections in children.
- Emphasizes the role of imaging and microbiological diagnosis in managing complex neck masses and infections.