Thyroid abscess: A rare case report and review of literature

Acute suppurative thyroiditis(AST) leading to thyroid abscessis a quite uncommon clinical entity. Both thyroid abscessand AST represent only 0.1%–0.7% of thyroidpathologies which may require surgical management. AST especially affects patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditisor thyroid cancer. In children, AST is associated with the persistence of a canal originating from the 3rd or 4th bronchial pouch that may lead to recurrent thyroid abscess. The left lobe of thyroidgland is more frequently involved. AST can be life threatening if left untreated, resulting in mortality of 12% or higher.