Hashimoto's thyroiditis in association with Tolosa Hunt syndrome: a case report

Tolosa Hunt syndrome (THS) is a painful ophthalmoplegia due to a nonspecific inflammatory process in the cavernous sinus or to parasellar neoplasms. Although the cause of the disease is unknown, previous observations support the hypothesis that THS may be only one manifestation of a generalized vasculitis. The diagnosis is based on findings of painful ophthalmoplegia, excellent response to corticosteroids, and exclusion of other causes including aneurysm, diabetes mellitus, paranasal mucocele, and carotid cavernous fistula. We report the case of a 24-year-old woman with THS who had undergone thyroidectomy 4 years before admission for goiter with histologic diagnosis of Hashimoto's thyroiditis. This case shows the unusual association between Hashimoto's thyroiditis and THS and supports the autoimmune origin of both diseases.