Acute transient thyroid swelling after fine-needle aspiration biopsy: A case report of a rare complication and a literature review

Diagn Cytopathol. 2022 Jul;50(7):E193-E197. doi: 10.1002/dc.24948. Epub 2022 Mar 2.

Abstract

Fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) is a safe and effective thyroid examination method with rare complications. Herein, we report a rare case of acute transient thyroid swelling that occurred after ultrasound-guided FNAB. The patient experienced acute pain with rapid thyroid swelling. Ultrasound imaging revealed a nodule with a linear, hypoechoic, and "patch-like" appearance, indicating edema without hemorrhage. After receiving anti-anaphylaxis and detumescence therapy for 1 day, the swelling regressed. Acute transient thyroid swelling is an extremely rare event that occurs shortly after FNAB and may frighten patients; therefore, clinicians should be aware of this complication in this context.

Keywords: complication; fine-needle aspiration biopsy; thyroid; thyroid swelling; ultrasound.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Biopsy, Fine-Needle / adverse effects
  • Biopsy, Fine-Needle / methods
  • Edema / etiology
  • Humans
  • Thyroid Neoplasms* / complications
  • Thyroid Nodule* / pathology
  • Ultrasonography / methods