Acute suppurative thyroiditis in a malignant thyroid gland.

A case of acute suppurative thyroiditis in a malignant thyroid gland is presented. The patient was an elderly woman with several years' history of pre-existing goitre. A diagnosis of acute suppurative thyroiditis was not difficult to make because clinical features of an infected thyroid swelling appeared obvious. With the help of intravenous antibiotics and early incision and drainage the patient did well and is now receiving radiotherapy.