Salmonella thyroiditis, apathetic thyrotoxicosis, and follicular carcinoma in a Laotian woman.

A 49-year-old Laotian woman presented with apathetic hyperthyroidism and suppurative thyroiditis from Salmonella cholerae-suis occurring in a multinodular gland with a large right-sided mass. Apathetic hyperthyroidism in this age group is uncommon and Salmonella thyroiditis has been infrequently described. Surgical removal of the mass which had effectively concentrated radioactive iodine cured the hyperthyroidism and permitted the remaining suppressed normal tissue to regain function. Pathologic evaluation of the functioning mass demonstrated nearly total replacement of normal thyroid tissue by follicular carcinoma. No clear evidence of metastatic disease was present. Thyrotoxicosis from follicular carcinoma of the thyroid not resulting from metastases has not been previously described.