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Primary Thyroid Tuberculosis

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Abstract

In India, it is estimated that more than 40% of the adults are infected with tuberculosis bacilli and every year 2 million people develop tuberculosis and nearly 500,000 die from it1. But, tuberculosis of the thyroid gland occurs only rarely. Since extra-pulmonary tuberculosis is now seen relatively more frequently, the existence of this condition should be recognized when goitres are being treated. We present a case of right thyroid nodule associated with low grade fever and weight loss. No signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism were present. Patient did not have any other tuberculosis focus. Routine investigation and chest X-ray were normal. Sputum for Acid Fast Bacilli was negative. Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology and Contrast Enhanced Computed Tomography led to a diagnosis of Primary Thyroid Tuberculosis in a euthyroid patient. Patient responded well to Anti tubercular Drug Therapy along with repeated aspiration.

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Correspondence to Sunita Sanehi.

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Sanehi, S., Dravid, C., Chaudhary, N. et al. Primary Thyroid Tuberculosis. Indian J Otolaryngol Head Neck S 59, 154–156 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12070-007-0045-y

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