Subacute thyroiditis.

Twenty-one cases of thyroiditis, generally considered a rare disease, were observed in the Los Angeles area in a period of less than two years. Eight of them were observed at one clinic in the course of six months.Although diagnosis of the disease usually is made hesitantly or apologetically, and misdiagnosis is not uncommon, the clinical pattern is fairly characteristic. Subacute thyroiditis may cause pronounced disability. Treatment with propylthiouracil or roentgen radiation appeared to be the most effective.