Volkan Ipek

Multinodular thyroid gland hypertrophy in a camel

This case report include the clinical, haematology, radiology, ultrasound and cytology results of the multinodular thyroid hyperplasia in a camel. A fourteen-year-old, Tulu breed, male camel was presented with the complaint of respiratory sounds and gradually enlarging a swelling under the neck for one year. Clinical examination revealed a massive swelling, which was bilateral, symmetric, and located ventral and 1/3 cranial part of the neck and suspected to be the cause of the respiratory sounds. Routine haematology of the camel was normal but thyroid function tests had low TSH, high level T3 and T4. Radiology revealed peritracheal soft tissue opacity and tracheal deviation. Ultrasonographic examination revealed the heterogenic mass and numerous different echogenities (anechoic, hyperechoic) in the parenchyma (multinodular appearance). Ultrasound guided fine needle aspiration and then cytology was performed. Cytology pointed to thyroid hyperplasia. Iodine therapy was planned. After two months, the swelling regressed to about 30% rate and abnormal respiratory sounds also disappeared.