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de Quervain's thyroiditis, is also known as subacute granulomatous thyroiditis; Males and females of all ages are affected. It is a member of the group of thyroiditis conditions known as resolving thyroiditis.

Terminology

It is sometimes called subacute thyroiditis,^[1] but it should be noted that there is another form of subacute thyroiditis, subacute lymphocytic thyroiditis.

It is also sometimes called "painful subacute thyroiditis".^[2] This is in contrast to subacute lymphocytic thyroiditis, which is also sometimes called "painless thyroiditis".

Causes

Some cases may be viral in origin, perhaps preceded by an upper respiratory tract infection. Viral causes include Coxsackie virus, mumps and adenoviruses. Some cases develop postpartum.

Presentation

Patients will experience a hyperthyroid period as the cellular lining of colloid spaces fails, allowing abundant colloid into the circulation, with neck pain and fever. Patients typically then become hypothyroid as the pituitary reduces TSH production and the inappropriately released colloid is depleted before resolving to euthyroid. The symptoms are those of hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism. In addition, patients may suffer from painful dysphagia. There are multi-nucleated giant cells on histology. Thyroid antibodies can be present in some cases. There is decreased uptake on isotope scan.

Treatment

Treatment is NSAID and Corticosteroids.

Eponym

It is named for Fritz de Quervain.^[3] It should not be confused with DeQuervain's syndrome.

References

1. ^ Topuzovic N, Smoje J, Karner I (October 1997). "The therapeutic approach in subacute (de Quervain's) thyroiditis". J. Nucl. Med. 38 (10): 1665. PMID 9379217. http://jnm.snmjournals.org/cgi/pmidlookup?view=long&pmid=9379217. 
2. ^ Peter SA (October 1992). [Expression error: Missing operand for > "Painful subacute thyroiditis (de Quervain's thyroiditis)"]. J Natl Med Assoc 84 (10): 877–9. PMID 1404465. 
3. ^ synd/1139 at Who Named It?