Subacute thyroiditis

Alternative names:

De Quervain's thyroiditis; giant cell thyroiditis; granulomatous thyroiditis; subacute granulomatous thyroiditis

Definition:

A sudden inflammation of the thyroid gland which usually follows an infection and then subsides.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Subacute thyroiditis may be caused by a viral infection such as mumps, influenza, Coxsackievirus, or adenovirus. Painful enlargement of the thyroid gland may persist for weeks or months. Symptoms of thyroid excess (hyperthyroidism) may be present. Risk factors are recent viral infection, being female, and young or middle aged. The incidence is 1 out of 10,000 people.