Analysis of Misdiagnosis of 4 Cases of Tuberculosis of Thyroid and Literature Review

Abstract

Objective. To investigate the cause of misdiagnosis and the diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis of thyroid. Methods. Four cases of tuberculosis of thyroid were reported and the related literature was reviewed, as well as the causes of misdiagnosis and the diagnosis and treatment were discussed. Results. Two cases were misdiagnosis as thyroid adenoma and one case as thyroid carcinoma, while one case as missed diagnosis. Part of resection, local excision, and lobectomy was performed, respectively, with all the patients who were treated with antituberculosis drugs and recovered. Conclusion. The atypical manifestation of tuberculosis of thyroid suggested that it is important to reinforce the knowledge of this disease. Cytological examination by fine-needle aspirate biopsy was helpful to the diagnosis. The first choice was treatment with anti-tuberculosis drugs.

Anaplastic Thyroid Carcinoma Mimicking Cervical Tuberculosis: A Case Report

“…In fact, misdiagnosis of cancer and tuberculosis has been reported in various organs, such as the lungs, liver, breast, bones, and even the thyroid gland [1]. It is more common for thyroid tuberculosis to be misdiagnosed as thyroid cancer than the opposite [2,3]. Many cases of thyroid tuberculosis wrongly diagnosed as thyroid cancer have been associated with pressure symptoms such as dysphagia [16], dyspnea, and recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy [17], raising suspicion of malignancy.…”

“…The thyroid gland is not spared from this risk of diagnostic error. It is more common for thyroid tuberculosis to be misdiagnosed as thyroid cancer than the opposite [2,3] In fact, Thyroid tuberculosis is a great mimicker and diagnostic chameleon and is prone to be diagnostic as thyroid carcinoma [2,3]. However, it is very rare for thyroid cancer to present as cervical tuberculosis.…”

Manifestations of Tuberculosis in Ear, Nose, Throat, Head and Neck Region – A Retrospective Study

“…Similarly, TB of thyroid gland can be diagnosed with ultrasonography, FNAC and polymerase chain reaction tests. 17…”

Tubercular thyroid abscess: A case report

“…Most of the patients present as solitary thyroid nodule with no sign of acute inflammation. All main diseases of thyroid gland should be considered including carcinoma thyroid [15]. The accurate diagnosis of tubercular thyroid has to be made by using investigation.…”