RIEDELS THYROIDITIS PRESENTING WITH HYPOTHYROIDISM AND HYPOPARATHYROIDISM - DRAMATIC RESPONSE TO GLUCOCORTICOID AND THYROXINE THERAPY

Riedel's thyroiditis is a rare fibro-inflammatory process originating in the thyroid gland with progressive extension and invasion of surrou nding tissues. Patients frequently present with a stony hard thyroid m ass suggestive of anaplastic carcinoma. We report a striking case of R iedel's thyroiditis associated with hypothyroidism, hypoparathyroidism and bilateral vocal cord paralysis. A dramatic response to high dose prednisone and levothyroxine therapy was seen, with recovery of parath yroid and vocal cord function. Our case suggests that early initiation of combination therapy may be important, particularly in the presence of severe disease.