OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study were to emphasize the difficulties of diagnosing thyroid tuberculosis because of its non specific symptoms and to encourage physicians to seek it more frequently. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Six cases of thyroid tuberculosis diagnosed within a 3-year period were included in a retrospective study. RESULTS: There were two men and four women, mean age 45 years. Four patients underwent lobo-isthmectomy with frozen section analysis which enabled us to rectify the diagnosis. Medical treatment was based on a 6-month course of bactericidal chemotherapy. Outcome was favorable in all the cases with 17 months average follow up. CONCLUSION: Symptoms of thyroid tuberculosis are misleading, pathologic findings are of increasing importance for diagnosis, which with the new serology techniques may improve further.
OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study were to emphasize the difficulties of diagnosing thyroid tuberculosis because of its non specific symptoms and to encourage physicians to seek it more frequently. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Six cases of thyroid tuberculosis diagnosed within a 3-year period were included in a retrospective study. RESULTS: There were two men and four women, mean age 45 years. Four patients underwent lobo-isthmectomy with frozen section analysis which enabled us to rectify the diagnosis. Medical treatment was based on a 6-month course of bactericidal chemotherapy. Outcome was favorable in all the cases with 17 months average follow up. CONCLUSION: Symptoms of thyroid tuberculosis are misleading, pathologic findings are of increasing importance for diagnosis, which with the new serology techniques may improve further.