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Thyroid Pneumatosis Following Fishbone Ingestion: A Rare Case Report
Bruna Pimentel1, Luís Baptista2, Inês Medeiros3
1Endocrinology Department, Lisboa Ocidental Local Health Unit, Lisbon, Portugal.
Case Reports in Endocrinology
|March 5, 2026
Summary
Thyroid pneumatosis, a rare condition, was observed after esophageal perforation. This case links destructive thyroiditis to this rare thyroid gas embolism.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Gastroenterology
- Radiology
Background:
- Thyroid pneumatosis is an exceptionally rare condition, with only one prior report linked to ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration.
- Esophageal perforation is a potential, albeit infrequent, cause of thyroid pneumatosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report the first case of thyroid pneumatosis secondary to esophageal perforation.
- To describe the association between thyroid pneumatosis and destructive thyroiditis.
Main Methods:
- A case study of a 70-year-old male presenting with a retropharyngeal abscess due to fishbone ingestion.
- Diagnostic imaging including neck computed tomography (CT) to identify gas within the thyroid parenchyma.
- Monitoring of thyroid function tests (TSH, free T4, free T3) during treatment.
Main Results:
- The patient developed thyroid pneumatosis and destructive thyroiditis following surgical extraction of a fishbone and treatment of a retropharyngeal abscess.
- Thyroid function abnormalities were noted initially (low TSH, high free T4, high free T3).
- Conservative management led to a favorable recovery, with normalized thyroid function within two months.
Conclusions:
- Thyroid pneumatosis should be considered a rare complication of esophageal perforation.
- This case is the first to document a link between destructive thyroiditis and thyroid pneumatosis.
Keywords:
destructive thyroiditisesophageal perforationretropharyngeal abscessthyroid pneumatosisthyrotoxicosisMore Related Videos
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