Thyroiditis Mimicking Thyroid Neoplasm: A Case Report

Background: Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is an autoimmune thyroiditis that results in the destruction of the thyroid gland architecture. It can be so extensive that it could mimic a thyroid neoplasm. Being presented here is a case report of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis that manifested with clinical features similar to that of a thyroid neoplasm.\r\nCase Report: The case being reported here is of a 65-year-old female who presented with midline swelling in the neck for 4 months. There was also change in voice along with mild pain. The thyroid profile revealed exceedingly high levels of TSH. Histopathological examination was conclusive of lymphocytic thyroiditis with possibility of autoimmunity.\r\nConclusion: Histopathological examination is useful for initial evaluation of painless thyroiditis, particularly in patients with palpable thyroid nodule and clinical presentation of a neoplasm. Therefore, attention should be paid to the differential diagnosis of thyroiditis and further assessment of thyroid profile and antibody levels in such thyroid mimics of carcinoma is strongly recommended.