Subacute Thyroiditis (de Quervain´s Disease/Giant-Cell Thyroiditis)

Abstract

Subacute thyroiditis, or de Quervain’s disease, which is sometimes called giant-cell thyroiditis or granulomatous thyroiditis, is an inflammatory thyroid disease in which nearly all cases (95%) will fully recover.

In the typical case there are inflammatory symptoms with pain over the thyroid. This form of thyroiditis is therefore often referred to in the literature as painful thyroiditis in contrast to painless, which is used for silent autoimmune thyroiditis. In addition, the patient often exhibits general symptoms.

The inflammatory process results in a temporary release of thyroid hormone because of a disruption of the integrity of the follicle cells, a destruction phase, which is followed by a period with failing hormone production before the thyroid regains its function. The consequence is thus a dynamic biphasic progression before remission.

Subacute thyroiditis is uncommon in children. It occurs most frequently in young and middle-aged people and is slightly more common in women than men.