Clin Ultrasound.  2021 Nov;6(2):67-70. 10.18525/cu.2021.6.2.67.

Graves’ Disease Following Subacute Thyroiditis

• Choi YS

• KMID: 2555137
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.18525/cu.2021.6.2.67

Abstract

Subacute thyroiditis is an inflammatory thyroid disease caused by viral infection. Graves’ disease is an autoimmune thyroid disease caused by thyrotropin (TSH) receptor antibody (TRAb). Graves’ disease following subacute thyroiditis is rare, and only a few cases have been reported. A 58-year-old woman presented with anterior neck pain and swallowing difficulty. Laboratory tests showed elevated FT4, low TSH, normal TRAb, and elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate. Thyroid ultrasonography (US) revealed focal, ill-defined hypoechoic areas in both thyroid lobes. The patient was treated with corticosteroid, and symptoms subsided after 1 month. Three months later, she complained of tremor and palpitation. Thyroid function testing showed hyperthyroidism with the positive conversion of TRAb, indicating Graves’ disease. Doppler US showed increased vascular flow in both thyroid lobes. She started treatment for hyperthyroidism with methimazole.

Keyword

아급성 갑상선염; 그레이브스병; 초음파; Subacute thyroiditis; Graves’ disease; Ultrasonography