Acute suppurative thyroiditis

The thyroid gland plays an important role in our human body. The thyroid hormone it secretes plays a very important role in the development of human bones and brain. If a child has insufficient thyroid hormone secretion, it will lead to cretinism. If the thyroid gland secretes too much, it will lead to diseases such as hyperthyroidism. Therefore, it is very important to ensure the health of the thyroid gland. However, thyroiditis is a disease that seriously affects the health of the thyroid gland.

In addition, there is a clinical condition called acute suppurative thyroiditis, which is very harmful to the thyroid gland. Especially for adult women, the possibility of suffering from this disease is very high. In order to protect the health of the thyroid gland, I hope you can learn some relevant knowledge about acute suppurative thyroiditis.

Common pathogens of acute suppurative thyroiditis include Staphylococcus aureus, hemolytic Streptococcus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Gram-negative bacteria, etc. Bacteria can enter the thyroid gland through the blood, lymphatic system, spread of infection in adjacent tissues and organs, or puncture. Most cases are secondary to direct spread of purulent infection in the upper respiratory tract, oral cavity or cervical soft tissue, such as acute pharyngitis, purulent tonsillitis, etc. A small number of cases are secondary to sepsis or open neck trauma. It is more common in malnourished infants, diabetics, frail elderly people or immunocompromised patients. Piriformis sinus fistula is the main cause of acute thyroiditis in children.

The thyroid gland has abundant blood flow and contains high concentrations of iodine. Iodine has a strong oxidizing effect, so the thyroid gland is not easily infected. Most infections are caused by extreme fatigue, malnutrition, and a significant decrease in body resistance. In addition, acute suppurative thyroiditis often occurs in patients with ectopic thyroid, such as patients with underdeveloped pyriform fossa. Viral infections are very rare, but there have been several reports of thyroid cytomegalovirus infection in AIDS patients.

The clinical manifestations of acute suppurative thyroiditis are obvious symptoms of systemic poisoning, such as fever, general discomfort, sweating, fatigue, etc.; the thyroid gland is locally red, swollen, painful and hot, and is diffuse or localized in size, accompanied by radiating pain in the ears, mandible or occipital area; there may be symptoms of compression of the nerves, trachea and esophagus, such as hoarseness, shortness of breath or difficulty swallowing. Physical examination: There is significant local tenderness in the thyroid gland and limited neck movement; when an abscess is formed, there may be a sense of fluctuation locally.

After understanding the causes and symptoms of acute suppurative thyroiditis, we need to remind you that although acute suppurative thyroiditis is relatively rare in clinical practice, the harm of this disease is extremely serious. In order to protect your body from the threat of this disease, please be sure to pay attention to taking measures to prevent acute suppurative thyroiditis in your daily life.