Acute diffuse thyroid swelling: A rare complication of fine-needle aspiration

We present a case illustrating the rare complication of acute generalized thyroid swelling shortly after sonographic-guided fine needle aspiration of a thyroid nodule. Ultrasound revealed the presence of characteristic linear hypoechoic avascular areas interspersed throughout the gland suggestive of edema. The patient was treated conservatively, with near complete normalization of the thyroid within 24 hours. Recognition of this potential complication is important, as the rapid onset of diffuse thyroid enlargement is often alarming but typically has a transient and self-limiting course. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 45:426-429, 2017.