Subacute thyroiditis, or de Quervain's disease, affects women more often. The greatest incidence occurs between the ages of 30 and 40. Find out what the causes and symptoms of de Quervain's disease are and how the thyroid disease is treated.

Subacute thyroiditisthat isde Quervain's disease(acute, granulation or giant cell thyroiditis) is one of the illnesses of not fully established etiology . Most likely, the cause is a viral infection. The most common are mumps, measles, adenoviruses, influenza viruses and ECHO viruses. The disease is accompanied by neck pain in the area of ​​the thyroid gland, sometimes radiating to the jaw, ears, occiput or chest.

Subacute thyroiditis: symptoms

  • high fever
  • enlargement, hardening and pain radiating to the ear, mandible and occiput
  • general weakness
  • muscle and bone and joint pain
  • in the first 4-6 weeks, symptoms of hyperthyroidism are sometimes found (palpitations, weight loss, hand tremors, diarrhea, nervous hyperactivity)
  • u 30 percent patients are diagnosed with transient hypothyroidism (freezing easily, dry skin, low voice, facial swelling, constipation, depression)

Subacute thyroiditis: diagnosis

Fine-needle aspiration biopsy of the thyroid gland (BAC) performed under ultrasound guidance with histopathological examination allows for a reliable diagnosis of the disease. Typical for de Quervain's disease is the presence of neutrophils in the swollen thyroid gland with characteristic polynuclear giant cells accompanied by neutrophil and plasmocyte infiltrates.

To determine the phase of the disease, hormonal tests and scintigraphy are performed.

Subacute thyroiditis: treatment

In severe disease, steroids are used that act immediately. However, it is recommended that steroid treatment be continued for approximately 4 weeks to avoid relapse. People with mild disease are given paracetamol or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to combat fever and pain. It is also recommended to make compresses on the neck with 2% salicylic alcohol.

Subacute thyroiditis: prognosis

This disease is usually self-limiting and prognosticare good. However, it requires treatment, which lasts from 6 weeks to six months depending on the symptoms. Most patients recover completely, relapses are rare.

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