Conservative treatment of thyroid abscess in a child with thyroglossal duct cyst

Abstract

Thyroid abscesses (TA) are a rare clinical entity in adult and pediatric patients. Less than 50 pediatric cases have been described. While inherently resistant to infection, various risk factors may predispose to thyroidal infection and abscess. This report details the incidental discovery of a thyroglossal duct cyst presenting as TA in a child who presented with a 1-week history of worsening pain and swelling of the right neck along with remittent fever. After clinical examination, laboratory examination, and ultrasound, a diagnosis of TA was made. The patient was administered antibiotics and antithyroid medication alongside supportive care. Surgery was considered in case of deterioration or absence of improvement. After two days of treatment, the patient improved and was discharged after two weeks of treatment. This article reports the incidence of TA, which was precipitated by congenital anatomical abnormality. The conservative treatment of TA using antibiotics was also highlighted.

Keywords

• pediatric
• thyroglossal duct cyst
• thyroid abscess