Seat Belt-Related Thyroiditis Documented with Thyroid Tc-99m Pertechnetate Scans

Abstract

A 64-year-old man presented with clinical unilateral thyroiditis after chronic left neck trauma from his car seat belt. Thyroid function tests were normal. The initial thyroid Tc-99m pertechnetate scan demonstrated decreased uptake in the entire left lobe of the thyroid. The follow-up scan 1 month later showed a more normal uptake in the left lobe. This patient's clinical course, laboratory values, and nuclear medicine scans are compatible with thyroiditis secondary to trauma sustained from his seat belt.