Suppurative thyroiditis, a sign of branchiogenic fistula? Lesson based on a case report

Branchiogenic fistulas are congenital alterations that affect the cervical compartments. Those of the fourth branchial cleft are rarest and can begin late with very serious complications. The suppurative thyroiditis can be a complication of these alterations. We describe a case of 3-year-old girl wi...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Radiology case reports 2024-08, Vol.19 (8), p.3038-3041
Main Authors: Farina, Renato, Foti, Pietro Valerio, Inì, Corrado, Tona, Emanuela, Timpanaro, Concetta, Galioto, Sebastiano, Motta, Claudia, Aliotta, Lorenzo, Marino, Francesco, Basile, Antonio
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Case Report
Congenital anomalies
Fourth branchial cleft fistula
Thyroiditis
Ultrasound
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Summary:Branchiogenic fistulas are congenital alterations that affect the cervical compartments. Those of the fourth branchial cleft are rarest and can begin late with very serious complications. The suppurative thyroiditis can be a complication of these alterations. We describe a case of 3-year-old girl with high fever, left cervical swelling and increased inflammation indices. The neck ultrasound showed an abscess of the left thyroid lobe and a fluid mass with aerial content in laterocervical region. On MRI, the fluid mass extended from the left piriform sinus to the mediastinum. Fluoroscopy also highlighted a fistolose trait that extended from the left side wall of the esophagus, anteriorly towards the trachea. Treatment of these pathologies must be early and a late diagnosis can put patients' lives at risk.
ISSN:1930-0433
1930-0433
DOI:10.1016/j.radcr.2024.03.076