Case Presentation A five-year-old boy with a history of nut allergies and intermittent asthma presented with the sudden onset of left-sided neck pain and progressive cervical swelling. One week prior to admission, he had experienced an episode of acute febrile pharyngitis that was managed symptomatically.
His immunizations were up to date according to the national vaccination schedule, including the seasonal influenza vaccine. Initial Laboratory Findings Leukocytosis: 11,580/µL with neutrophilic predominance (61.8%) Elevated C-reactive protein: 173.9 mg/L Biochemical hyperthyroidism TSH: 0.02 mUI/L (suppressed) Free T4: 23.5 ng/L (elevated) Initial Imaging Thyroid ultrasound revealed: Enlarged, heterogeneous left thyroid lobe Cervical abscess measuring 20 × 11 × 21 mm adjacent to the left hemithyroid and isthmus (Cover Image A) Multiple reactive left cervical lymph nodes (largest 36 ×…
