Subacute Thyroiditis in a Child

ABSTRACT Objective: The objective of this report is to describe the presentation, disease course, and management of subacute thyroiditis (SAT) in children. SAT is a rare cause of thyroiditis in children and can be mistaken for Acute Suppurative Thyroiditis (AST), which may be more common in Pediatrics. Methods: We present a 7-year-old female, who had painful thyroid enlargement, fever and thyrotoxicosis. Results: Laboratory evaluation showed high white blood count (WBC), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and free thyroxine (T4); and a low thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). Her neck CT scan showed intrathyroidal fluid collection consistent with an abscess. She was treated with Clindamycin, with no relief of fever and pain. Thyroid ultrasound showed diffuse enlargement of the thyroid lobes with hypoechoic areas, and no fluid accumulation, consistent with subacute thyroiditis. She was treated with IV Ketorolac with relief of pain and fever, but these symptoms recurred when she was changed to PO Ibuprofen...