RECURRENT SUPPURATIVE THYROIDITIS DUE TO PYRIFORM SINUS FISTULA - A CASE-REPORT

Acute suppurative thyroiditis is a rare disease, particularly in child hood. We present a case with recurrent acute suppurative thyroiditis d ue to a pyriform sinus fistula originating from the fourth branchial p ouch. The typical symptoms of a piriform sinus fistula are recurrent l eft-sided pain and swelling of the neck with signs of acute bacterial inflammation. Diagnosis should be made by high resolution ultrasound, barium meal studies and endoscopic examination. During acute exacerbat ions treatment with antibiotics is indicated, but permanent cure can o nly be attained by complete fistulectomy.