Thyrotoxicosis
Sub acute viral thyroiditis
- Sub acute viral thyroiditis 1
- Sub acute viral thyroiditis 2
Patients presenting with a history of an upper respiratory tract infection, painful swelling of the thyroid and thyrotoxic symptoms should have a 99m Tc thyroid scan performed.
The classical picture of no uptake on the 99m Tc thyroid scan with a classical history will confirm the diagnosis.The scan must be performed as soon as possible after the onset of symptoms as the condition is self limiting and will resolve within two to three weeks of onset. The scan will then normalise.
Other causes of a low uptake pattern with thyrotoxic symptoms are listed below:
- Amiodarone therapy
- Thyroxine medication
- Kelp or multimineral preparations
- Contrast media eg CT scan or IVU
Sub acute viral thyroiditis
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Image: Sub acute viral thyoiditis presents with painful swelling of the thyroid with thyrotoxic symptoms which usually resolve spontaneously.
Imaging during the acute episode will show the pathognomic finding of absent uptake- early imaging is therefore essential if the diagnosis is to be confirmed.
