Lesson of the month 1: Subacute thyroiditis: a rare cause of fever of unknown origin

Clin Med (Lond). 2017 Feb;17(1):86-87. doi: 10.7861/clinmedicine.17-1-86.

Abstract

Fever of unknown origin (FUO) is sometimes a diagnostic dilemma for clinicians. Endocrine causes reported in the literature include subacute thyroiditis, thyrotoxicosis, adrenal insufficiency and pheochromocytoma. Among these, subacute thyroiditis is often overlooked as it can occasionally lack typical symptoms. This case illustrates the fact that subacute thyroiditis should be considered as a possible cause of fever even if signs and symptoms of hyperthyroidism and thyroid tenderness are absent.

Keywords: FUO; Fever of unknown origin; gallium scan; thyroiditis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Female
  • Fever of Unknown Origin
  • Gallium Radioisotopes / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Ibuprofen / therapeutic use
  • Thyroiditis, Subacute* / diagnostic imaging
  • Thyroiditis, Subacute* / drug therapy
  • Thyroiditis, Subacute* / pathology
  • Thyroiditis, Subacute* / physiopathology

Substances

  • Gallium Radioisotopes
  • Ibuprofen