Thyroid abscess in a 3 1/2-year-old child.

Thyroid abscess is a rare occurrence; there have been only six reported cases in children in the past 20 years and none of these in the otorhinolaryngologic literature. The presentation of suppurative thyroiditis in the 3 1/2-year-old child described here is somewhat atypical, with a rather insidious onset of swelling in the neck. The white blood cell count was elevated; thyroid function, however, was normal. The child also had an abnormal thyroid scan. Rapid improvement ensued with incision and drainage and appropriate antibiotic therapy. A brief discussion and review of the literature is provided regarding manifestations of previously reported cases. The recognition of this entity is important in order to differentiate from other fascial abscesses of the head and neck.