de Quervain's thyroiditis

de Quervain's thyroiditis

Etymology: Fritz de Quervain; Gk, thyreos, shield, itis, inflammation

an acute inflammatory condition of the thyroid characterized by swelling and tenderness of the gland; low-grade fever; dysphagia; fatigue; and severe pain in the neck, ears, and jaw. The disorder often occurs after a viral infection of the upper respiratory tract. It tends to remit spontaneously and to recur several times. The diagnosis may be made by a radiologic scan showing depressed uptake of radioactive iodine in involved areas. Occasionally a fine-needle biopsy of the thyroid is performed. Treatment may include antiinflammatory medication, such as aspirin or NSAIDs, if the condition continues for more than a few days. Corticosteroids are prescribed for prolonged or severe cases. Also called giant cell thyroiditis, granulomatous thyroiditis, subacute thyroiditis.