FIBROUS INVASIVE (RIEDELS) THYROIDITIS WITH CRITICAL RESPONSE TO STEROID TREATMENT

The Riedel's thyroiditis is an uncommon form of chronic thyroiditis ch aracterized by an invasive fibrosclerosis of the gland, often involvin g the surrounding tissues. Usually, the only possible treatment is the surgical decompression of the tissues. We describe a case of aggressi ve Riedel's thyroiditis with severe compression and dislocation of thr achea and esophagus. The surgical approach was uneffective, while an ' 'ex juvantibus'' steroid treatment, resulted in a dramatic regression of fibrosclerosis and a complete clinical remission. This report point s out the possible effectiveness of corticosteroids in the treatment o f selective disorders involving increased fibrogenesis.