Amyloid goiter related with Crohn's disease: A rare association: Amyloid goiter secondary to Crohn's disease

INTRODUCTION

Amyloid goiter (AG) is characterized by enlargement of the thyroid gland as a result of extensive amyloid deposition in a bilateral and diffuse manner.

PRESENTATION OF CASE

A 58-year-old male patient was diagnosed of Crohn''s Disease (CD). He was admitted to our clinic with complaint of respiratory distress and rapid growth swelling in the neck. Ultrasound examination revealed huge multinodular goiter on both sides of thyroid gland. We performed bilateral total thyroidectomy. Pathological evaluation revealed AG.

DISCUSSION

Amyloid leads to degeneration in tissues, thereby disrupts the function of the relevant organs. It is important to distinguish AG from other reasons of goiter, particularly thyroid medullary cancer that can cause amyloid deposition in thyroid gland. Secondary amyloidosis frequently involves thyroid gland at microscopic level, but rarely causes goiter. An analysis of current literature revealed that only few cases of AG occurred secondary to CD. Herein we presented a case of AG who has rapidly growing goiter that associated with CD.

CONCLUSION

AG must be kept in mind in case of rapidly growing goiter, especially in patients with chronic inflammatory bowel diseases.