[Acute suppurative thyroiditis with multiple complications]

Acute suppurative thyroiditis is a rare disorder, most often caused by Staphylococcus aureus or Streptococcus pneumoniae, which affects particularly children with pyriform sinus fistula. In adults, the main pathogenic mechanism seems to be hematogenous dissemination from a focus of infection in the oropharynx or respiratory tract. The initial signs and symptoms of acute thyroiditis are similar to those of acute pharyngitis and subacute thyroiditis. This fact often delays diagnosis and increases the risk of complications. We report the case of a previously healthy, 28-year-old man who, after being affected by tonsillitis, developed suppurative thyroiditis complicated by thyrotoxicosis; a large abscess in the right lobe of the thyroid extending to the thorax introitus, which caused a trachea deviation and compressed large vessels; associated with internal jugular vein thrombosis, and sepsis.