Thyroiditis, Infectious and Subacute

Thyroiditis is defined as inflammation of the thyroid gland and can be classified according to its symptoms development as acute, subacute and chronic. The acute suppurative thyroiditis is caused by invasion of the thyroid by infectious organisms, usually bacterial, fungal, parasitic and mycobacterial infections. It is potentially life threatening, especially if the diagnosis is delayed and appropriate therapy is not instituted. Subacute thyroiditis is a self-limited inflammatory disorder of the thyroid characterized by neck pain or discomfort, a predictable course of thyroid dysfunction, and disruption of the thyroid follicular cell architecture.