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Abstract

Subacute thyroiditis (SAT), also known as giant cell thyroiditis, subacute granulomatous thyroiditis, de Quervain’s thyroiditis or pseudogranulomatous thyroiditis, is the most common cause of thyroid pain.

It is a self-limiting inflammatory disorder associated with many viral infections, although there is not an established role for them in the pathogenesis of SAT. Autoantibodies may be present, but their importance is probably negligible. The classical course of the disease includes an initial stage of hyperthyroidism followed by a second stage of hypothyroidism, usually transitory. Treatment is for support only and consists of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and, in more severe cases, corticosteroids. Symptoms of hyperthyroidism should be treated with beta-blockers.

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© 2008 Humana Press, a part of Springer Science+Business Media, LLC

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Atisha-Fregoso, Y., Garcia-Carrasco, M. (2008). Subacute Thyroiditis. In: Shoenfeld, Y., Cervera, R., Gershwin, M.E. (eds) Diagnostic Criteria in Autoimmune Diseases. Humana Press. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-60327-285-8_43

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