Hashimoto's thyroiditis. An uncommon cause of painful thyroid unresponsive to corticosteroid therapy.

The records of eight patients with thyroid tenderness secondary to Hashimoto's thyroiditis were reviewed. The pathologic characteristics of thyroid tissue sections from these patients were compared with those from patients with nontender Hashimoto's thyroiditis, and no difference was identified. Laboratory features helpful in distinguishing tender Hashimoto's thyroiditis from subacute (de Quervain's) thyroiditis include normal erythrocyte sedimentation rate, significant 131I uptake, and significant antithyroid antibody titer. Diagnosis should be confirmed by fine-needle aspiration biopsy. Corticosteroid therapy was unsuccessful in treating these patients; L-thyroxine and aspirin were successful more often. Two patients required thyroidectomy to control pain.