Acute Suppurative Thyroiditis (AST) With Thyroid Abscess: A Rare and Potentially Fatal Neck Infection

Thyroid abscess, although rare, is a condition that usually occurs as a sequela of acute suppurative thyroiditis (AST) which is an infection of the thyroid gland. The infrequent occurrence of thyroid abscess is due to the unique anatomical and physiological characteristics of the gland which renders it resistant to infections. Delay in diagnosis and treatment can have adverse outcomes and serious complications such as septicaemia, descending necrotising mediastinitis, extension into deep spaces of the neck, and tracheal or oesophageal perforation. The mainstay of management is a combination of systemic antibiotics along with incision and drainage, and rarely surgery. We report the case of a 37-year-old male with acute suppurative thyroiditis with a thyroid abscess. He underwent incision and drainage of the abscess and was subsequently treated with systemic antibiotics. This condition warrants a prompt and timely diagnosis with appropriate management as it often leads to fatal complications if not diagnosed early.