A Case of Diffuse Thyroid Hematoma after Ultrasound-Guided Fine Needle Aspiration

Abstract

Ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration is an easy, safe, and efficient method of diagnosing thyroid diseases. Recent guidelines and studies have demonstrated that this test has a low incidence of complications; thus, most guidelines do not provide recommendations for post-exam care. However, the risk of serious and fatal bleeding in selected patients with bleeding tendency exists. Although screening tests for coagulation are not always necessary, a thorough assessment of past medical history needs to be made to identify disorders affecting coagulation function and bleeding risk factors, such as the use of antithrombotic drugs. This is a case report of a 70-year-old female patient who continued to take edoxaban and suffered bilateral thyroid hematoma a few hours after ultrasound-guided thyroid fine needle aspiration. The patient successfully recovered after undergoing conservative treatment.