FOLLICULAR CARCINOMA-ASSOCIATED WITH MINOCYCLINE-INDUCED BLACK THYROID

Grossly evident black pigmentation of the thyroid has been observed in a number of patients, most of whom have a history of chronic ingestio n of minocycline. In the majority of reported cases, no thyroid dysfun ction or lesion has been noted, although rare instances of papillary c arcinoma have been described. We describe a patient with a history of chronic minocycline ingestion, who presented with a neck mass of recen t onset. Histologic examination of the thyroid revealed diffuse pigmen t deposition, typical for that seen in association with minocycline in gestion. Also present was a 3.2-cm follicular neoplasm with capsular a nd vascular permeation, consistent with minimally invasive follicular thyroid carcinoma. This represents the first report of follicular carc inoma associated with minocycline-induced black thyroid (MIBT).