Painless giant cell thyroiditis diagnosed by fine needle aspiration and associated with intense thyroidal uptake of gallium

Am J Med. 1986 May;80(5):971-5. doi: 10.1016/0002-9343(86)90647-9.

Abstract

A 52-year-old woman presented with fever, goiter, and no evidence of pain or tenderness in the thyroid. A diagnosis of silent thyroiditis was made after obtaining evidence of biochemical thyrotoxicosis, intense gallium-67 citrate thyroidal localization, and cytologic thyroiditis. Fine needle aspiration biopsy of the thyroid revealed numerous giant cells in all areas of the thyroid, typical of subacute thyroiditis. This is believed to be the first time painless thyroiditis is reported with the classic cytologic feature of painful subacute thyroiditis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Biopsy, Needle
  • Female
  • Gallium Radioisotopes
  • Granuloma, Giant Cell / diagnosis*
  • Granuloma, Giant Cell / pathology
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Radionuclide Imaging
  • Thyroid Function Tests
  • Thyroid Gland / diagnostic imaging
  • Thyroid Gland / pathology*
  • Thyroiditis / diagnosis*
  • Thyroiditis / pathology

Substances

  • Gallium Radioisotopes