Background: Riedel’s thyroiditis is a rare form of chronic inflammatory disease affecting the thyroid gland. It is characterised by the replacement of the thyroid parenchyma by fibrous tissue. It also affects the adj...Background: Riedel’s thyroiditis is a rare form of chronic inflammatory disease affecting the thyroid gland. It is characterised by the replacement of the thyroid parenchyma by fibrous tissue. It also affects the adjacent vital structures. Due to its characteristic presentations, Riedel’s thyroiditis may not be immediately diagnosed. Objectives: Through this clinical case, we aimed to describe the pathology and clinical characteristics of Riedel’s thyroiditis and the diagnostic, therapeutic, and progressive modalities. Methods: A 62-year-old woman with no particular pathological history is consulted at the outpatient clinic for anterior cervical swelling that has been present for more than 5 years and is associated with respiratory discomfort and dysphagia to solids. Clinical examination, ultrasound, lab tests and injected cervical computed tomography (CT) were performed. These tests were completed with pathological examination. Results: General conditions were normal. Anterior cervical swelling, marked on the right, of hard consistency, causing cervical shielding with healthy surrounding skin, was observed at the examination. A compressive goitre was first suspected. Thyroid tests showed hypothyroidism. The CT revealed a hypodense goitre with micro-calcifications developed at the expense of the right lobe and exerting a mass effect on the trachea and oesophagus. Aspiration thyroid was not conclusive given the suspicion of the malignant nature of the goitre, and the decision to perform a right loboisthmectomy was taken. Pathological examination of the biopsy showed atrophy of the thyroid parenchyma with dense septal fibrosis punctuated by lymphocytes and extending throughout the tissue associated with inflammation—an appearance in favour of Riedel’s thyroiditis. The patient was treated with Levothyroxine and corticoids. Conclusions: This case points out the challenges in diagnosing Riedel’s Thyroiditis and the complexity of the pathology that requires a rigorous diagnostic approach and appropriate treatment for the best outcome.展开更多
文摘Background: Riedel’s thyroiditis is a rare form of chronic inflammatory disease affecting the thyroid gland. It is characterised by the replacement of the thyroid parenchyma by fibrous tissue. It also affects the adjacent vital structures. Due to its characteristic presentations, Riedel’s thyroiditis may not be immediately diagnosed. Objectives: Through this clinical case, we aimed to describe the pathology and clinical characteristics of Riedel’s thyroiditis and the diagnostic, therapeutic, and progressive modalities. Methods: A 62-year-old woman with no particular pathological history is consulted at the outpatient clinic for anterior cervical swelling that has been present for more than 5 years and is associated with respiratory discomfort and dysphagia to solids. Clinical examination, ultrasound, lab tests and injected cervical computed tomography (CT) were performed. These tests were completed with pathological examination. Results: General conditions were normal. Anterior cervical swelling, marked on the right, of hard consistency, causing cervical shielding with healthy surrounding skin, was observed at the examination. A compressive goitre was first suspected. Thyroid tests showed hypothyroidism. The CT revealed a hypodense goitre with micro-calcifications developed at the expense of the right lobe and exerting a mass effect on the trachea and oesophagus. Aspiration thyroid was not conclusive given the suspicion of the malignant nature of the goitre, and the decision to perform a right loboisthmectomy was taken. Pathological examination of the biopsy showed atrophy of the thyroid parenchyma with dense septal fibrosis punctuated by lymphocytes and extending throughout the tissue associated with inflammation—an appearance in favour of Riedel’s thyroiditis. The patient was treated with Levothyroxine and corticoids. Conclusions: This case points out the challenges in diagnosing Riedel’s Thyroiditis and the complexity of the pathology that requires a rigorous diagnostic approach and appropriate treatment for the best outcome.
