Clinical data: a 31-year-old man was referred for the evaluation of neck discomfort lasting for several weeks. Body temperature was normal.

Palpation: both thyroids were minimally tender.

Functional state: euthyroidism with subnormal TSH: TSH 0.22 mIU/L, FT4 22.5 pM/L, FT3 6.08 pM/L, erythrocyte sedimentation rate 67 mm/H, CRP 8.9 mg/L.

Ultrasonography: the basic echo structure of the thyroid was normal with several hypoechogenic lesions with ill-defined borders. The vascularization was decreased.

Cytological diagnosis: thyroiditis.

Combined clinical-ultrasonographic-cytological diagnosis: benign subacute, de Quervain's thyroiditis.

Comment: we prescribed steroid therapy. The complaints of the patients were ceased within 24 hours after steroid administration. The patient presented subclinical hypothyroidism 6 weeks later. The ultrasonographic and biochemical disturbance had normalized 6 months later.