De Quervain thyroiditis was first reported in 1825, but de Quervain recorded its pathological description in 1904.
De Quervain (subacute granulomatous) thyroiditis is the most common cause of a painful thyroid gland. It is a transient inflammation of the thyroid, the clinical course of which is highly variable. Most patients have pain in the region of the thyroid, which is usually diffusely tender, and some have systemic symptoms. Hyperthyroidism often occurs initially, sometimes followed by transient hypothyroidism. Complete recovery in weeks to months is characteristic.
Some authors use the term subacute thyroiditis for this disease. However, subacute thyroiditis is a generic term that may be used for all types of thyroiditis with a subacute course, including subacute granulomatous thyroiditis (de Quervain disease), subacute lymphocytic (painless) thyroiditis, and some forms of postpartum thyroiditis and drug-induced thyroiditis.
A viral infection or a postviral inflammatory response is presumed to cause de Quervain thyroiditis. Serial studies of viral antibody titers have implicated many viruses (including coxsackievirus, Ebstein-Barr, mumps, measles, adenovirus, echovirus, and influenza), but the changes could be attributed equally to nonspecific anamnestic responses. Occurrence of de Quervain thyroiditis in the course of novel H1N1 influenza infection was recently reported from Greece.[1] Viral inclusion bodies are not observed in thyroid tissue in de Quervain thyroiditis.
A strong association exists with human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-B35 in most ethnic groups. A proposed mechanism is that the disease results from a viral infection that provides an antigen, either viral or resulting from virus-induced host tissue damage, that uniquely binds to HLA-B35 molecules on macrophages. The antigen–HLA-B35 complex activates cytotoxic T lymphocytes that damage thyroid follicular cells because they have some structural similarity with the infection-related antigen. The transient presence of autoantibodies (eg, inhibitory immunoglobulins that bind to thyrotropin [TSH], antibodies that block thyroid stimulation, thyroid antimicrosomal antibodies, thyroglobulin [TGB] antibodies) has been noted in the acute phase of the disease, but their presence is attributed to a virally induced autoimmune response and is not implicated in the pathological process. In contrast with autoimmune thyroid disease, the immune response is not self-perpetuating; therefore, the process is limited.
Destruction of follicular epithelium and loss of follicular integrity are the primary events in the pathophysiology of de Quervain thyroiditis. TGB, thyroid hormones, and other iodinated compounds are released into the blood, often in quantities sufficient to elevate the serum thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) concentrations and suppress TSH secretion. This state lasts until the stores of TGB are exhausted or until healing occurs. New hormone synthesis temporarily ceases because of the low TSH. As inflammation subsides, the thyroid follicles regenerate and thyroid hormone synthesis and secretion resume. In some patients, several months are required for thyroid hormone synthesis to return to a normal rate; during that period, clinical hypothyroidism may be evident.
De Quervain thyroiditis occurs in less than 5% of all patients with thyroid pathology. It tends to have seasonal and geographical distribution and is most common during the summer and fall. It tends to follow viral epidemics.
A systematic review of all cases diagnosed between 1960 and 1997 in Olmsted County, Minnesota revealed an age- and sex-adjusted incidence of 4.9 cases per 1000,000 per year.[2]
International frequency is approximately the same as US frequency.
De Quervain thyroiditis is a benign self-limited disease. Morbidity is caused during the initial phase by pain, which usually prompts the patient to consult a physician. Mild and transient hyperthyroidism occurs, and, in as many as 50% of patients, hypothyroidism may occur later. Recurrence of thyroiditis up to 21 years following the initial episode has been reported.
As is the case for most thyroid diseases, de Quervain thyroiditis appears more frequently in females, with a female-to-male ratio of 3-5:1.
De Quervain thyroiditis has a peak incidence in the fourth and fifth decades of life. It is rare in the first decade and relatively infrequent in people older than 50 years, although it has been reported in extreme age groups.[3] Occurrence during pregnancy has been reported as well.[4]
Some patients experience a flulike prodromal episode 1-3 weeks prior to the onset of clinical disease. The natural course of the disease can be divided into the following 4 phases that usually unfold over a period of 3-6 months:
Table. Characteristic Course of de Quervain Thyroiditis
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The diagnosis is made based on clinical findings. Prodromal flulike symptoms or known infectious disease, such as pharyngitis, measles, mumps, Q fever, or typhoid fever, may occur. In young patients, de Quervain thyroiditis may develop following an episode of Henoch-Schönlein purpura. However, a history of prodromal symptoms often cannot be obtained.
See Pathophysiology.
A viral infection or a postviral inflammatory response in genetically predisposed individuals is presumed to cause de Quervain thyroiditis. Serial studies of viral antibody titers have implicated many viruses (including coxsackievirus, Ebstein-Barr, mumps, measles, adenovirus, echovirus, and influenza), but the changes could be attributed equally to nonspecific anamnestic responses. Recent studies failed to demonstrate significant changes in serum antiviral antibody titers, or to detect viral DNA in the thyroid specimens.
The thyroid gland is moderately enlarged and edematous in de Quervain thyroiditis. It may be unilaterally or bilaterally enlarged and has an intact capsule. Affected areas are firm and yellow-white and stand out from the more rubbery, normal, brown thyroid substance.
The changes are patchy and vary with the stage of the disease. The early phase is the active inflammatory phase and is characterized by areas of entirely disrupted follicles, which are replaced by neutrophils, forming microabscesses.
In a later phase, the classic changes of granulomatous thyroiditis develop. This is characterized by aggregations of lymphocytes, large histiocytes, and plasma cells among damaged thyroid follicles. Multinucleated giant cells enclose pools or fragments of colloid, from which stems the designation giant cell thyroiditis. Colloid is also found within the giant cells, following a process called colloidophagy. In the final stages, the areas of injury are replaced by a chronic inflammatory infiltrate and fibrosis. Different histologic stages sometimes are found in the same gland, suggesting waves of destruction over a period of time.
Under a scanning electron microscope, the cytomorphology of subacute granulomatous thyroiditis shows loss of a uniform honeycomb cellular arrangement, variation in size and decreased or shortened microvilli in follicular cells, and the appearance of round or ovoid giant cells.
The giant cells are closely associated with the granulomas, and are CD68+, thyroglobulin negative, and cytokeratin negative. The small lymphocytes in the granulomas are CD3+, CD8+, CD45RO+ cytotoxic T cells. In the nongranulomatous lesions, the follicles are infiltrated by CD8+ T lymphocytes, plasmacytoid monocytes, and histiocytes, resulting in disrupted basement membrane and rupture of the follicles. These findings suggest that cellular immune response may play an important role in the pathogenesis of subacute thyroiditis.
Management is directed towards 2 problems—pain and thyroid dysfunction.
Consultation with an endocrinologist is recommended in atypical or complicated cases.
The goals of pharmacotherapy are to reduce disease-associated morbidity and prevent complications due to abnormal thyroid function. No treatment has been shown to impact the occurrence of permanent hypothyroidism.
Clinical Context: Treats mild to moderate pain. Inhibits prostaglandin synthesis, which prevents formation of platelet-aggregating thromboxane A2.
Used for symptomatic treatment. Aid in the relief of mild to moderate pain by inhibiting inflammatory reactions and pain.
Clinical Context: For relief of mild to moderate pain. Inhibits inflammatory reactions and pain by decreasing activity of cyclooxygenase, which results in a decrease of prostaglandin synthesis.
Clinical Context: DOC for patients with mild to moderate pain. Inhibits inflammatory reactions and pain by decreasing prostaglandin synthesis.
Although most NSAIDs are used primarily for their anti-inflammatory effects, they are effective analgesics and are useful for the relief of mild to moderate pain.
Clinical Context: Symptomatic treatment used in NSAID-refractory cases. May decrease inflammation by reversing increased capillary permeability and suppressing PMN activity.
Have anti-inflammatory properties and cause profound and varied metabolic effects. They modify the body's immune response to diverse stimuli.
Clinical Context: DOC in treating cardiac arrhythmias resulting from hyperthyroidism. Controls cardiac and psychomotor manifestations within minutes.
Used for symptomatic relief of hyperthyroidism. Propranolol is used as an example, but any noncardioselective beta-blocker can be used. Use only in moderate to severe cases of hyperthyroidism, and many times it is not needed.
Clinical Context: DOC. In active form, influences growth and maturation of tissues. Involved in normal growth, metabolism, and development.
Required during the recovery phase if transient hypothyroidism occurs. Required indefinitely in the occasional patient who develops permanent hypothyroidism.
Inpatient care is only recommended in the rare cases in which severe symptomatic hyperthyroidism is present.
The authors recommend monitoring thyroid function every 2-4 months for 1 year or until thyroid function normalizes (whichever occurs later).[21] Yearly monitoring of thyroid function should be performed thereafter for several years, since permanent hypothyroidism may occur several years following the initial diagnosis.
Prognosis is excellent. More than 90% of the patients with de Quervain thyroiditis recover completely, with or without treatment. Even in the 5-10% of patients who develop hypothyroidism, treatment with thyroid hormone is effective.
Parameters Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3 Stage 4 Symptoms Hyperthyroid Euthyroid Hypothyroid Euthyroid (recovery) T4, T3 Elevated Normal Decreased Normal TSH Decreased Normal Elevated Normal