Unilateral Hypopharyngitis, Cellulitis, and a Multinodular Goiter: A Triad of Findings Suggestive of Acute Suppurative Thyroiditis

SUMMARY: Acute suppurative thyroiditis is an uncommon disorder, which has been associated with pre-existing thyroid disease, especially a multinodular goiter. We describe a case of a woman who presented clinically with an acute inflammatory condition of the neck. On CT examination, she had a triad of a multinodular goiter, a unilateral hypopharyngitis, and a surrounding cellulitis. We suggest that the constellation of these imaging findings should alert the radiologist to the diagnosis of acute thyroiditis.