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Early Thyrotoxic Thyroiditis After Radiotherapy for Tonsillar Carcinoma
Michael Bryer-Ash, MD;
Wasim Lodhi, MB, BS;
K. Thomas Robbins, MD;
Robin Morrison, MSN, FNP
Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2001;127:209-211.
Thyroiditis with hyperthyroidism is a recognized early complication
of intrathyroidal irridiation by orally ingested radiolabeled iodine I 131,
but has seldom been described following external delivery of radiotherapy
to the thyroid bed. We treated a man who was initially seen with a clinical
picture suggestive of hyperthyroidism after receiving a course of radiotherapy
for tonsillar carcinoma. Laboratory studies and thyroidal radioiodine uptake
confirmed the diagnosis of thyrotoxic thyroiditis, having onset within 2 weeks
of completion of the course of radiotherapy. The literature concerning thyroiditis
and thyroid function following external beam radiotherapy is reviewed. Because
several of the clinical features of thyrotoxic thyroiditis may resemble those
resulting from the cancer under treatment or complications of its therapy,
we recommend evaluation of thyroid function at the conclusion of the course
of radiotherapy and 2 weeks thereafter to exclude this self-limited and treatable
cause of weight loss.
From the Departments of Medicine (Drs Bryer-Ash and Lodhi) and Surgery
(Dr Robbins), University of Tennessee College of Medicine, and the University
of Tennessee Medical Group (Ms Morrison), Memphis.
Corresponding author and reprints: Michael Bryer-Ash, MD, Department
of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, University of Tennessee Memphis, 951
Court Ave, Room 340M, Memphis, TN 38103 (e-mail: mbryerash{at}utmem.edu).
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