Thyroid tuberculosis mimicking carcinoma: A case report and review of the literature

Abstract

Thyroid tuberculosis (TT) is a very rare condition, even in endemic countries, this can be explained by the high resistance of the thyroid gland to infections. It can be primary or secondary to disseminated infection. A solitary thyroid nodule is the most common reason for consultation, and can present in the form of a cystic nodule. He can even present a picture of a thyroid abscess with pain, fever, and other nonspecific signs and symptoms. We present the case of a 65-year-old woman who consulted for a lower median cervical swelling that had been present for 4 years associated with upper right laterocervical lymphadenopathy mimicking a thyroid carcinoma. As symptoms and imaging features are nonspecific, diagnosis is challenging. Fine-needle aspiration cytology is a useful technique for preoperative diagnosis. Typical caseous necrotic granulomas are the hallmark in histological examination. Thyroid tuberculosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a thyroid nodule and of neck mass, in order to prevent unnecessary surgery. Histopathology and culture of MTB remain a key step for the diagnosis.