Efficacy of fine-needle aspiration cytology for a thyroid abscess in children: Two case reports

Abstract

A thyroid abscess caused by acute suppurative thyroiditis (AST) is a rare form of thyroid nodule, and is most common in children, particularly in the first decade of life. The echotexture of an abscess may vary depending on the extent of internal debris or hemorrhage and on the peripheral and interval vascular flow; thus, a definitive diagnosis of AST is difficult to establish. The present study reports two cases of a thyroid abscess in children caused by viridans streptococci, diagnosed using ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) and bacterial culturing. FNAC of the thyroid gland may be used extensively in children for the diagnosis of AST and thyroid abscesses. In addition, FNAC is an efficient method for differentiating between benign and malignant nodules of the thyroid gland, in order to ensure that the appropriate treatment is administered.

An Idiopathic Sterile Thyroid Abscess in a Five-Year-Old Child

“…On the other hand, significant internal debris or bleeding associated with peripheral and interval vascular flow may cause an abscess' echotexture to alter. Under such conditions, ultrasonography alone might not be able to make a definitive diagnosis [10]. In our instance, the diagnosis might have been made with ultrasound alone, negating the need for other methods.…”

A Case of Pediatric Thyroid Abscess: A Rare Entity

“…Although the major causative organs are Staphylococcal and Streptococcal species in about 35–40% of cases [ 2 , 5 , 10 ] gram-negative organisms like Klebsiella, Salmonella, Acinetobacter species contribute to about 25% cases with anaerobes seen in 9–12% cases. Mycobacterial and fungal etiologies are more commonly noted in immunocompromised patients [ 6 ].…”

“…As seen in this case, FNAC also aspirated the abscess fluid thus further alleviating the need for surgical drainage. The procedure is less invasive, timelier and more plausible [ 10 ]. Empirical therapy with broad spectrum antibiotics reduces the inflammation.…”