THYROIDITIS - A CLINICAL REVIEW

Thyroiditis is a spectrum of diseases that includes acute, subacute an d chronic thyroiditis, all of which demonstrate the histologic finding s of inflammation, fibrosis or lymphocytic infiltration. Acute thyroid itis is an infectious disease characterized by the abrupt onset of ant erior neck pain and swelling. Subacute thyroiditis can have a viral or autoimmune etiology and may present with or without thyroid pain. Chr onic thyroiditis is one of the most common causes of asymptomatic goit er and hypothyroidism. Each type of thyroiditis has a distinct clinica l presentation and laboratory profile that allows the clinician to ide ntify the disease and provide proper management.