Surgical Management of Substernal Thyroid Goiters

Substernal thyroid goiters can present with progressive symptoms involving compression of vital structures such as the esophagus, trachea, or large vessels. A multidisciplinary approach is critical when diagnosing and treating these patients. This article discusses patient presentation, workup, and management options for patients with substernal goiter as well as surgical pearls to minimize risk of complications.

An overview of retrosternal goiter

Goiters tend to grow slowly and steadily over many years, occasionally reaching the mediastinum and extending through the thoracic inlet into the visceral compartment. In most cases, retrosternal goiters originate from the cervical portion of the thyroid. The incidence of retrosternal goiters varies considerably, ranging from 0.2 to 45% of all thyroidectomies, depending on the criteria used to define this type of goiter. Symptoms are generally related to the compressive nature of the mass on the adjacent structures, and most patients report some form of respiratory manifestation associated with the goiter. A diagnostic assessment usually includes an evaluation of thyroid function, chest radiography, and computed tomography. Fine-needle aspiration biopsy should be avoided in substernal areas of the goiter due to limited visibility and location of vital structures in this region. Treatment of retrosternal goiters is surgical, as medical therapy is generally unsuccessful in these cases.

fT3:fT4 ratio in Graves' disease - correlation with TRAb level, goiter size and age of onset

INTRODUCTION

Graves' Disease (GD) is an autoimmune hyperthyroidism occurring mostly in young women. The main pathogenic role of the disease is attributed to TSH receptor antibodies (TRAb), which stimulate the thyroid gland to increase production of the most active thyroid hormone- triiodothyronine (T3). High level of TRAb and a large goiter size are commonly known as poor prognostic factors for the disease and are used to predict relapse.

THE AIM

The purpose of our study was to check the correlation between fT3:fT4 ratio with TRAb concentration, total volume of thyroid and age of GD onset.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

114 patients with onset or relapse of GD were analyzed. Those after thyroidectomy or radioiodine therapy were not taken into analysis. The data was retrospectively retrieved from the hospital's records consisting of patients' sex, age, level of TRAb, fT3, fT4 and thyroid volume on ultrasonography. The association between fT3:fT4 and TRAb concentration, thyroid volume and age was evaluated using Pearson correlation coefficient.

RESULTS

The group was predominated by women (19.3% men, 80.7% women). The average age was 47.0. The analysis revealed positive correlation between: 1) fT3:fT4 ratio and total volume of thyroid (correlation ratio: 0.37; p <0.05) 2) fT3:fT4 ratio and level of TRAb (correlation ratio: 0.26; p or <0.05) 3) negative correlation between fT3:fT4 ratio and patient's age (correlation ratio: -0.14; p = 0.144).

CONCLUSIONS

Positive correlations between fT3:fT4 ratio and TRAb level and total volume of thyroid (poor predictors of GD) may confirm that high level of fT3 can also be a prognostic factor for GD severity.

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for the anesthetic management of a patient with a massive intrathoracic goiter causing severe tracheal obstruction with positional symptoms: A case report

INTRODUCTION

Perioperative anesthetic management in cases of severe airway obstruction with positional symptoms can be associated with difficulties in ventilation or intubation, with a risk of acute respiratory decompensation at every stage of anesthesia.

PATIENT CONCERNS

Here we describe the anesthetic management of a 67-year-old man with a massive intrathoracic goiter causing severe tracheal obstruction with positional symptoms. The patient presented with progressive dyspnea that was aggravated in the supine position and was scheduled for total thyroidectomy.

DIAGNOSIS

Preoperative computed tomography showed a large goiter extending into the thoracic cavity, with diffuse segmental tracheal narrowing for 6 cm. The diameter at the narrowest portion of the trachea was 4.29 mm.

INTERVENTIONS

Before the induction of general anesthesia, we applied extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in preparation for potential difficulties in securing the airway during general anesthesia. Subsequently, anesthesia was successfully induced and maintained.

OUTCOMES

After the surgical procedure, fiberoptic bronchoscopy and chest radiography showed resolution of the tracheal narrowing. ECMO was weaned 2 hours after the surgery, and the patient was extubated on the first postoperative day. He was discharged without any complication.

CONCLUSION

The findings from this case suggest that the use of ECMO before the induction of general anesthesia is a safe method for maintaining oxygenation in patients with severe tracheal obstruction.

Posterior Mediastinal Goiter

Most mediastinal goiters are retrosternally situated in the anterior mediastinal compartment. Posterior mediastinal goiters, either retrotracheal or retroesophageal, are rare. We herein describe a case involving a retrotracheal goiter in the right posterior mediastinum, which was excised using a combined cervico-partial sternotomy and right thoracotomy approach.

US not bright but right method of thyroid volume estimation even in large and substernal extended goitres. Comparison of US and three methods of CT thyroid evaluation – prospective study

BACKGROUND

Ultrasound is nowadays a method of choice for thyroid volume assessment. However, its disadvantage is some inaccuracy, which is said to be higher in huge, especially substernally extended goitres.

AIMS

The aim of the study was to compare the US and CT thyroid volumetric measurements: multi-observers (CT MO) and one-observer (CT OO) to CT planimetry results (CT Pl) in patients with large goitres.

MATERIALS & METHODS

The study material comprised 70 thyroid imaging examinations obtained from 35 patients with nontoxic goitres, scanned twice before and after radioiodine treatment. Mean thyroid volume was 88·97 ± 60·21 ml. Thirty-three thyroid scans revealed the extension below the jugular notch (mean of 2·46 cm). Thyroid volume in US, CT MO and CT OO was estimated using the ellipsoid formula. CT Pl was established a reference method.

RESULTS

The mean thyroid volume in CT Pl was 88·97 ml (median 80·73, range 11·81 to 315·97). US underestimates thyroid volume by 7·55 ml (7·7%) with a sufficient correlation (R(2) = 0·89) and precision (20·37). CT OO is the closest and CT MO the most distant from CT Pl, with US between them in thyroid volume estimation. The percentage US bias is constant through all range of thyroid volume. There is no difference for percentage bias between US and CT Pl for goitres with (8·67%), and without (6·70%) substernal part.

CONCLUSION

US examination is sufficient for epidemiological studies, radioiodine activity calculation and goitre size assessment in everyday medical practice. Neither initial size of the goitre nor its substernal extension affects US assessment precision.

SURGICAL TREATMENT OF NECK AND RETROSTERNAL GOITER, CLINICAL CASE

Here is a clinical case of neck and retrosternal goiter. We describe the clinical course characteristics and diagnosis of cervical-retrosternal goiter, when intrathoracic goiter was not located by palpation.

Substernal goiter: when is a sternotomy required?

The presence of substernal goiter is, per se, an indication for surgical management. Surgical approach of substernal goiter can most commonly be performed using the cervical access, but at times, a sternotomy or thoracotomy is necessary. The aim of this study was to identify the preoperative predictors of a sternotomy in the management of substernal goiter in order to provide better preoperative planning and patient consent. Between 2005 and 2012, 665 patients were referred to our clinic for thyroidectomy, 42 patients (6.3%) had substernal goiter and were included in this study. All substernal goiters were treated surgically, 38 (90.5%) by a cervical approach and 4 (9.5%) by full median sternotomy. All surgeries were successful, with no major postoperative complications. Minor postoperative complications of transient hypocalcemia and transient paralysis of the recurrent laryngeal nerve occurred in 5 (11.9%) and 2 (4.7%) cases, respectively. Indication of median sternotomy was as follows: extension of goiter below the aortic arch, large thyroid tissue extending towards tracheal bifurcation, and ectopic thyroid tissue in the mediastinum. Substernal goiter can be removed through a cervical incision, but on rare occasions, a median sternotomy may be required.

Pemberton's sign: explained nearly 70 years later

CONTEXT

Pemberton's sign is used to evaluate venous obstruction in patients with goiters. The sign is positive when bilateral arm elevation causes facial plethora. It has been attributed to a "cork effect" resulting from the thyroid obstructing the thoracic inlet, thereby increasing pressure on the venous system. According to some, the "cork effect" is caused by the thyroid descending into the thoracic inlet during arm elevation. According to others, the obstruction is due to elevation of the thoracic inlet against the thyroid.

OBJECTIVE

We studied a 36-year-old man with a positive Pemberton's sign secondary to a goiter extending to the substernal region.

DESIGN AND INTERVENTION

Clinical, biochemical, and radiological assessments were done. Magnetic resonance angiography of the neck was performed while the patient's arms were elevated and at his sides. After the imaging studies were completed, the patient underwent thyroidectomy.

RESULTS

Magnetic resonance angiography demonstrated that there was no craniocaudal movement of the goiter relative to the thoracic inlet. However, the lateral aspect of the clavicle moved medially and inferiorly, obstructing the right external jugular vein and subclavian vein confluence.

CONCLUSIONS

In the present case, we demonstrated that when eliciting Pemberton's sign, facial plethora and venous engorgement were due to the clavicles moving and compressing venous vasculature against the enlarged thyroid and not to a "cork effect." Rather, the clavicular motion observed during arm elevation could be compared to the movement of a "nutcracker" compressing major venous structures within a narrowed thoracic inlet against a relatively fixed and enlarged thyroid.

Is sternotomy always necessary for the treatment of mediastinal ectopic thyroid goiter?

Ectopic thyroid goiter accounts approximately for 1% of all substernal goiters and for 10-15% of all mediastinal masses. Sternotomy is generally accepted as the most adequate approach for the removal of ectopic thyroid goiters of the anterior mediastinum. We report two cases of mediastinal ectopic goiter removal through a cervical incision, without sternotomy. The technique is based on a careful and gentle traction of the mass by means of traction stitches and simultaneously on a blunt digital dissection, in order to exteriorize the lesion in the neck, as much as necessary to ligate its vascular pedicle before completing the removal. When performed with caution and precision, this approach can avoid sternotomy in selected patients with ectopic thyroid goiter.

KEY WORDS

Ectopic thyroid, Sternotomy, Thyroidectomy.

Retrosternal goiters

The term of retrosternal or substernal goiter means that more than 50% of thyroid gland descends in the thorax.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

There is a retrospective study on retrosternal and substernal goiter and its patological features among 2482 patients who underwent thyroidectomy between 2000 and 2010 in the First Surgery Clinic of Iaşi. Retrosternal goiter was identified 54 patients (2.17%). All patients were refered to surgery from the Clinic of Endocrinology.

RESULTS

Mean age at diagnosis was 55.3 +/- 3.58 years, and most cases were found in women (83.3%). The clinical pictures of retrosternal goiter was dominated by compressive disorders. Thyroid function abormalities were identified by hormonal assays performed on Endocrinology Clinic lasi in 15 cases (27.7%). The diagnosis of retrosternal goiter was suggested by clinical examination and confirmed by imagery: thorax X ray, ultrasonography, CT scan. The cervical approach was being safely performed. Only in 8 cases (14,8%), sternotomy was necessary. There was no mortality and morbidity was 5.5% (3 cases). The length of stay in the hospital was 4.3 days. We compared our recent data with a previous report on retrosternal and thoracic goiter treated in First Surgery Clinic of lasi during 1950 to 1979 and published in the journal "Chirurgia" in 1981.

CONCLUSIONS

Retrosternal goiter is a particular form of thyroid surgical pathology presentation with declining incidence. Diagnosis and treatment of retrosternal goiter involve a multidisciplinary team. The endocrinologist has an important role in diagnosis and postoperative follow-up. Surgery is the treatment of choice for substernal goiters, but there are still some controversies on surgical approach, and complication rate. The cervical approach can be safely performed in almost all cases but when required, sternotomy should be performed without hesitation.

[The plunging goiter : about 43 cases]

BACKGROUND

The plunging goiter consists in a goiter whose lower limit is not palpable in surgical position.

AIM

To study the epidemiologic characteristics, the circumstances of discovery, the clinical signs, and the management of this disease.

METHODS

A retrospective study about 43 cases of plunging goiters operated during a period of 14 years in the ENT department of the hospital The Rabta Tunis.

RESULTS

The average age of our patients was 59.3 years. On physical examination, goiter was palpable in 41 patients (95.3%). The plunging character of the goiter was noted, at echography, in 26 patients. A cervico-thoracic scanner was performed in 41 patients (95.3%). It helped to confirm the plunging goiter in all patients. These goiters were most frequently pre vascular (73.2%) compared to the innomined venous trunk. The lower limits of the intrathoracic extensions were on the level of the superior vena cava in 4 cases (9.7%), on the level of the left brachio-cephalic venous trunk in 16 cases (39%) and on the level of the aortic arch in 15 cases (36,5%). The cervical incision was sufficient in 39 cases (97.5%) and we used a combined sternotomy in one patient (2.5%).

CONCLUSION

The plunging goiter is a thyroid tumour cervical originally descended, then developed, in the mediastinum. A good clinical examination and paraclinical can reach a definite diagnosis and to achieve better surgical.

[Management of thyroid goiters invading mediastinum and thoracic cavity]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the diagnosis and treatments of thyroid goiters invading mediastinum and thoracic cavity.

METHODS

Seventy-eight cases of thyroid goiters invading mediastinum and thoracic cavity and undergoing surgery from 1995 to 2005 were reviewed. There were 22 males and 56 females and their age ranged from 45 years to 78 years with a median age of 59 years. According to the classification of intrathoracic thyroid goiters, there were 50 cases in Class I, 20 cases in Class II and 8 cases in Class III. In these patients, 38 cases suffered from dyspnea at degree I and 20 cases at degree II. Of the patients, 71 underwent thyroidectomy through neck approach and 7 underwent thyroidectomy by a combined approach of neck incision plus sternotomy or lateral thoracotomy. Tracheal defects in 4 cases and esophageal defects in 3 cases were repaired. Postoperative residual diseases were found in tracheoesophageal wall (5 cases) and mediastinum (6 cases). Eleven patients received postoperative radiotherapy and 18 underwent (131)I treatment. No case died of operation and no case with wound infection.

RESULTS

The time of follow-up was 60 - 180 months with a median of 110 months. Three patients lost follow-up. Dyspnea in 58 cases were improved after operation. Three of 49 patients with nodular goiters died from cardiocerebrovascular diseases. Of 29 patients with thyroid papillary carcinoma, 2 died from lung metastasis and 3 died from neck relapse. Five-year survival rate was 75.0% in the patients with thyroid cancer.

CONCLUSIONS

Most of thyroid goiters invading mediastinum and thoracic cavity can be completely resected via neck approach, but a combined approach of neck incision plus sternotomy or lateral thoracotomy may be used in some cases with malignant goiters to dissect the diseases completely. Postoperative external beam radiotherapy are required for the residual diseases. (131)I may be considered in high-risk differentiated thyroid carcinoma cases.

[Intrathoracic goitre--undiagnosed--nevertheless operated]

A case review of a female patient, who was indicated for surgery for a goitre with minor bilateral retrosternal spread. The procedure included bilateral thyroidectomy during which the surgeon noticed unusual intrathoracic pathology in the left hemithorax, under the removed lobe. Postoperative chest x-ray and CT examinations revealed intrathoracic goitre, which was then removed during a following procedure. In the article, the authors discuss this uncommon pathology. Because of its uncommon location, the pathology was not detected on standard preoperative endocrinological examination. It was the follow up, postoperative examination, based on which the correct treatment was initiated.

Retrosternal goitre with subclinical hyperthyroidism presenting with trochanteric fracture

We report a 55-year-old female who presented with trochanteric fracture of right femur. Examination and investigation revealed a huge retrosternal goiter with compression of great vessels which was asymptomatic for more than two decades. Subsequent investigation confirmed it as a case of toxic multinodular goitre with subclinical hyperthyroidism which is the possible cause of secondary osteoporosis and fracture. Unusual presentation makes the case reportable.

[Intrathoracic goiter with differential diagnostic difficulties]

Intrathoracic goiter represents an important differential diagnosis in the examination of lung tumours. A 71-year-old healthy woman presented with dyspnoea, stridor and an inhomogeneous tumour compressing the upper part of the right lung at the level of the left atrium. Computed tomography showed bilateral pleural effusions and a pericardial effusion. Thyroid scintigraphy demonstrated no uptake in the pulmonary mass and material from two sets of core-needle biopsies were inconclusive. Surgery with histology revealed a degenerated benign intrathoracic goiter.

[Thyroid tuberculosis]

Thyroid is a rare localization of tuberculosis, and should be considered in the diagnosis of nodular lesion of the thyroid gland except for the complicated forms with collection in which the fine needle aspiration showed the acid fast bacilli on Ziehl-Neelson stain (Koch bacilli) and/or granulomatous inflammation with caseation necrosis. We report the case of a 70 year-old woman referred to the hospital with a diagnosis of endothoracic goiter without clinical signs of tuberculosis. The diagnosis was established after total thyroidectomy and histological exam. Six-month treatment with three antituberculous drugs was administered with a good outcome.

Giant functioning parathyroid cyst presenting as a retrosternal goitre

Parathyroid cysts are rare and even more rarely cause a neck mass resembling a goitre. Such large parathyroid cysts may involve the mediastinum, growing to a sufficient size to produce symptoms related to obstruction, and if functioning, primary hyperparathyroidism. Parathyroid cysts should be considered in the list of differential diagnoses of anterior neck masses to allow for appropriate preoperative investigation to avoid unnecessary confusion at the time of operation. We report a case where a functioning parathyroid cyst presented as a retrosternal goitre to emphasize the potential pitfalls associated with their diagnosis and management.

[Evaluation of the reliality of an oncotropic drug in diagnostics of the retrosternal lesions]

Aim of this research is the evaluation of an oncotropic drug in diagnostics of substernal goiter. We used the SESTA-MIBI in 26 patients with cervico-mediastinal goiter and evaluated the pre and intra operating data with the histopathological specimen. The radiodrug has noticed profit in the differential from neoplastic and colloidal tissue, even if in a few cases it has also demostrated affinity for the benign adenomas. When the fine aspirated needle biopsy has turned out inadwisable or not setting, the MIBI methodical has been of special help. The extent of the use of this radiodrug also to parathyroid and cardiac pathology has made the economical costs cheaper and promoted the routine use of the methodology.

Primary intrathoracic goiter -a rare mediastinal tumor

Primary intrathoracic goiter is a rare presentation of thyroid disease. Its removal usually necessitates thoracotomy or sternotomy. This patient having a primary intrathoracic goiter presented with posterior mediastinal mass that was removed through a right lateral thoracotomy.

Intrathoracic goiter and invasive thymoma: rare concomitant presentation

We present a rare situation in which two mediastinal tumors of different topology and histology were found during the resection of an extensive mediastinal tumor in an asymptomatic patient. Different histologies within the same mass have been reported, although, to our knowledge, there have been no reports of different tumors at distinct locations. Thymomas and intrathoracic goiters account for a large proportion of the tumors found in the mediastinum. When feasible, surgical resection plays a fundamental role in effecting a cure. In order to identify concomitant lesions and perform a complete resection, detailed surgical exploration is required.

Management of retrosternal goitres: results of early surgical intervention to prevent airway morbidity, and a review of the english literature

We present our experience and also review the world literature on the management of retrosternal goitres (RSGs). There is now irrefutable evidence that almost all RSGs will continue to grow and eventually cause airway compression. We describe the diagnosis, investigation and surgical approach to the management of this condition.

Retrosternal thyroid goiter: 15 years experience

BACKGROUND

Thyroidectomy for goiter is a common surgical procedure performed in most hospitals in Israel. Both general and ear, nose and throat surgeons are familiar with thyroidectomy for cervical goiters. In about 1-15% of thyroidectomies, the goiter is intrathoracic and requires somewhat different management. This topic has not been reviewed in the literature recently.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the clinical presentation, preoperative workup, surgical complications and risk of malignancy in retrosternal goiters.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the records of 75 patients who underwent thyroidectomy for retrosternal goiter in the General Thoracic Surgical Department of our institution during a 15 year period, January 1990 to January 2005.

RESULTS

All the patients (41 women and 34 men) were symptomatic at presentation, with choking and dyspnea being the most common complaint. Computerized tomography scan of the neck and chest were obtained before the operation in 71 patients (95%). Ten patients (13%) had a previous partial thyroidectomy. A cervical approach was used in 68 patients (91%). Seven patients (9%) required median sternotomy to complete the operation. One patient (1.3%) died from postoperative respiratory failure. Transient recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy occurred in 5 patients (7%) and permanent RLNP in 3 (4%). The incidence of transient and permanent hypoparathyroidism was 10% and 2.6% respectively. Sixty-six lesions (88%) were benign and 9 (12%) were malignant.

CONCLUSIONS

Choking and dyspnea are the most common presenting symptoms of retrosternal goiter. CT scan is an important component of the preoperative evaluation and operative planning. Surgical removal of the thyroid is the treatment of choice and most patients have symptomatic improvement following the operation. Since a substernal thyroidectomy may be technically different from cervical thyroidectomy, a surgical team familiar with its unique pitfalls should perform the procedure.

Primary Intrathoracic Goiter

Nodular goiter is a common disease in Taiwan, and substernal or intrathoracic goiters are not infrequent. However, intrathoracic goiters are mainly of the secondary type and primary intrathoracic goiters are rarely seen. We report a 55-year-old woman who was incidentally found to have an ectopic goiter located in the anterior upper mediastinum with the initial presenting symptom of productive cough. Imaging studies including chest X-ray and computed tomography identified the lesion, and 131I-uptake scan showed weak uptake in the thorax. Surgical removal via thoracotomy was performed and the diagnosis was confirmed by pathology. A primary intrathoracic goiter, although rare, should also be considered in the differential diagnosis of mediastinal tumor.

VATS with a supraclavicular window for huge substernal goiter: an alternative technique for preventing recurrent laryngeal nerve injury

A careless attempt to remove a huge substernal goiter using the cervical approach can lead to recurrent laryngeal nerve injury, which has been consistently reported after the surgery. We present an alternative and less invasive technique combining video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) with a supraclavicular approach. This technique seems to offer improved exposure and reliable control of the neuro-vascular structures in the anterior mediastinum when resecting a huge substernal goiter that may prevent nerve injury.

Substernal goiters

BACKGROUND

Substernal goiter, also said cervico-mediastinic goiter, is a thyroid formation with cervical departure that goes beyond, with stretched neck, the superior thoracic strait for at least 3 cm and that preserves, generally, the parenchimal or fibrous connections between the cervical and thoracic portion, maintaining a direct vascularization supplied by the thyroid arteries. The prevalence of this pathology is very variable and fluctuates between 1.7% and 30% of all thyroid damages. The actual classification is provided by the radiologic examination of the chest and, above all, by the new techniques of imaging.

METHODS

In the period between January 1998 and December 2003, 332 patients with thyroid pathology have been treated surgically. Forthy-five (13.5%) of these were afflicted with a cervico-mediastinic goiter. In 32/45 (71.1%) cases a total thyroidectomy has been performed by collar carving in accordance with Kocher; in 11/45 (24.5%) cases an hemithyroidectomy has been performed by collar incision; in 2/45 (4.4%) cases, already submitted to surgical intervention of isthmus-lobectomy a totalization has been performed.

RESULTS

The surgical technique foresees always an anterior collar neck incision. This way of access is to prefer in the substernal goiters, both for the presence of a cervical vascularization easy to control and for the possibility, nearly always realizable, to dislocate the goiter by that way. As for what concerns the results of the histological examination, in 2/45 (4.5%) cases it has been set a diagnosis of follicular carcinoma (one of them surely invading and the other, leastly invading), in 3/45 (6.6%) cases papillary carcinoma, in 4/45 (8.8%) cases colloido-cystic goiter, in 33/45 (73.5%) cases micro-macrofollicular hyperplasia (in one of which contemporarily compromise from lymphoma of Hodgkin); in 3/45 (6.6%) cases of adenomatous hyperplasia of the thyroid.

DISCUSSION

The surgical approach has been in all cases the collar neck incision in accordance to Kocher, and it has never been necessary to associate a sternotomy or thoracotomy. After the intervention, in all the patients the symptomatology tied to the mediastinal compression has disappeared. The goiter showed signs of neoplastic degeneration in 11.1% of the cases, with prevalence of the papillary carcinoma in the 6.6% and, in the remaining 4.5%, of follicular carcinoma. These data are superimposable to the data gathered in other surveys. All the patients passed the post-operating hospitalization in optimal conditions and have been discharged during the fourth post-operating day with the prescription of increasing levothyroxine doses according to the body weigh.

[Substernal goitre. Personal experience]

INTRODUCTION

Aim of the study is to discuss the diagnostic and therapeutic problems of substernal goiter (SG).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The Authors retrospectively analyzed 12 patients (3.1%) with substernal goiters among 379 patients undergoing surgical treatment for thyroid diseases from January 2000 to 2005, and evaluated the clinical data, preoperative diagnostic findings, surgical treatments, histopathological results, and postoperative complications.

RESULTS

The most common symptoms were a cervical mass (100%) and dyspnea (16%), but 50% of the patients were asymptomatic. Chest radiography provided the first evidence of a substernal goiter in 100% of the patients. The AA performed total thyroidectomy and operated through a cervical incision in all the patients. There was operative mortality (1 case: = 8%), 2 (16%) patients suffered temporary hypoparathyroidism; no patients suffered transient vocal cord paralysis. Malignancy was diagnosed by histopathological examination in 2 patients (16%).

CONCLUSIONS

The presence of a substernal goiter is considerd as a sole indication for surgery. Surgical treatment of SG requires a diagnosis that exactly defines the extent of the lesion. A correct choice of surgical access and scrupulous operating technique are likewise of paramount importance to reduce the risk of severe compressive complications. Most retrosternal goiters can be resected through an entirely cervical approach with a low complication rate. On rare occasions a median sternotomy or a sternal split will be required to permit a safe and complete thyroidectomy.

Ectopic intrathoracic thyroid: case report

We present a patient with ectopic intrathoracic thyroid that was removed through a right lateral thoracotomy. Ectopic intrathoracic thyroid is a rare presentation of thyroid disease and comprises about 1% of all mediastinal tumors. Its removal usually necessitates thoracotomy or sternotomy. The relevant literature is briefly reviewed.

Pleural effusion as a complication of intrathoracic goitre

The authors report their experience with a case of bilateral pleural effusions as a complication of intrathoracic goitre. They then go on to examine all the possible causes of this phenomenon. After discussing the anatomy of the superior mediastinum, they conclude that hydrothorax related to intrathoracic goitre could be the result of pressure of the mass on venous structures, especially on the superior vena cava, or on the intramediastinal lymphatic vessles, or, as in the case reported, on both.

Giant substernal goiter with chylothorax

A 60-year-old woman presented with a huge goiter extending from the lower jaw to the diaphragm. Right pleurocentesis produced chylous fluid. A cervicothoracic incision was used to totally excise the substernal goiter, with near-total excision of the cervical goiter, and repair of the lymphatic leakage.

[Treatment of substernal goiter. Our experience]

The Authors, after having reviewed substernal goitre natural history, report their five-year experience with this disease, underlining clinical features, therapeutic management, positive results. They examine the several proposed classifications and stress haemodynamic and respiratory complications. At last they shortly discuss about diagnostics and, mainly, about correct therapeutic approach which has two aims to resolve the symptomatology and to prevent relapses.

Intrathoracic goiter: analysis of 21 cases

Goiters are classified into: the cervical, retrosternal, substernal and intrathoracic. The aim of research is to analysis of intrathoracic goiters (ITG) which include goiters with more than 80% of tissue in the thoracic cavity and intrathoracic thyroid choristomas.

METHODS

In prospective non-randomized study were analyzed 21 consecutive patients operated on for intrathoracic non-toxic benign goiters from 1987-98. Fourteen patients with intrathoracic goiters (more than 80% of tissue in the thoracic cavity) and seven patients with intratoracic choristomas were operated. Two groups of ITG were observed according to the expressed symptomatology and surgical approach and complications of operative treatment were compared to the complications of operative treatment of 986 non-ITG non-toxic benign goiters.

RESULTS

ITG represented 1.1% of the whole number of operatively treated thyroid diseases. One third of patients were asymptomatic. Commonly observed symptoms were dispnea, stridor and dysphagia and there was no significant difference in appearance of these symptoms between the two groups of ITG. In 19% of patients correct preoperative diagnosis wasn't assessed. Cervical approach with sternothomy was used in 11 patients, cervical approach with right thoracotomy in seven, right thoracotomy only in two, and cervical approach only in one patient. Thoracic approach was used in 95% of cases and there was no significant difference between the two groups of ITG. Concerning the operative complications, in two patients transient vocal cord paresis and in one patient postoperative bleeding were verified. There was no statistically significant deference in frequency of operative complications between ITG and non-ITG.

CONCLUSIONS

ITG are rare, but might present a difficult diagnostic and complex surgical problem. Common clinical presentation and identical surgical approach in operative treatment justify the common review of the two groups of intrathoracic goiters. With adequate and timely performed surgical approach, in specialized institutions, frequency of complications in operative treatment of ITG is not higher if compared to operative treatment of non-ITG.

A giant retrosternal goiter with severe tracheal compression and superior vena cava syndrome: an operative experience

The peculiarities in the operation of a giant retrosternal goiter with severe tracheal compression and superior vena cava syndrome are highlighted in this report of a 53 year-old female with a large anterior neck swelling interfering with normal breathing and swallowing. From the initiation of the neck incision, mobilization of the gland and performing the subtotal excisions there was troublesome bleeding. Pneumothorax resulting after delivery of the massive retrosternal portion was managed with an underwater-seal drainage tube.

[Diagnosis and treatment of retrosternal goiter]

Retrosternal and intrathoracal goiters are actual surgical problem. This is because of the severe clinical symptoms, complications and some difficulties at the operative treatment. For the period of 1991-2002 at the Clinic of Thoraco-Abdominal Surgery at Medical University Plovdiv are operated 1131 patients with thyroid disease. Of them 38 were operated with cervical incision, 3 with median sternotomy, 2 with thoracotomy. There were complication at 7 patients. Only one patient died from pulmonary embolism.

Pattern of intrathoracic goiter in Ibadan, Nigeria

This study is to review the pattern of intrathoracic goiter in a large black population. In a retrospective review, the cardiothoracic unit managed ninety-eight primary mediastinal masses of which sixteen patients with intrathoracic goiters were treated during the same period. This constitutes 1.3% of treated goiters and 16.3% of primary mediastinal masses. Seventy-five per cent of the intrathoracic goiters were in association with cervical goiters. Twelve of the intrathoratic goiters were located in the anterosuperior mediastinum, and two in the middle mediastinum. There were three goiters in the posterior mediastinum. Six patients had cervical exploration and median sternotomy, three had cervical exploration and thoractomy, 3 had only thoractomy, two had only median sternotomy for excision. Thirteen patients (81.3%) had either simple colloid or multinodular intrathoracic goiter, one had follicular adenoma, and 2 patients had malignant goiters. One patient had recurrent cervical goiter. The endemicity of thyroid disease does not seem to increase the frequency of intrathoracic goiter.

["Forgotten" goiter: clinical case and review of the literature]

"Forgotten" goitre is an extremely rare disease. It is a mediastinic thyroid mass found after total thyroidectomy. In this paper we report a case of "forgotten" goitre and review the various diagnostic and therapeutic problems posed by the condition. A number of possible solutions that can be implemented for this disease are identified.

Schwannoma of the left brachial plexus mimicking a cervicomediastinal goiter in a young Nigerian lady

The schwannoma is thought to arise from the schwann cells of the nerve sheath. This tumor is usually solitary and may arise from any cranial or peripheral nerve. It is encapsulated and appears to arise focally on a nerve trunk so that the nerve itself is stretched over the tumor rather than running through it as in neurofibroma. This report is unusual as the tumor started as a cervical swelling which subsequently grew into the mediastinum simulating a retrosternal goiter. The patient, a 25 year-old female was referred to the University College Hospital, Ibadan, 24 hours after an attempted thyroidectomy at a private hospital. The history was of a painless anterior neck swelling of 4 years duration devoid of symptoms of hyperthyroidism with associated dysphagia and weakness of the left hand. Examination showed an asthenic young woman. Her voice was hoarse but there were no eye signs suggestive of thyrotoxicosis. On the anterior neck was a sutured skin-crease scar over a diffuse anterior neck swelling which one could not get below. The left hand showed wasting of the thenar and hypothenar eminences. Thyroid function test results were within normal limits, indirect laryngoscopy showed a left vocal cord paralysis, packed cell volume was 38%. Her chest x-ray showed a huge left retrosternal and apical soft tissue mass displacing the trachea to the right (figure 1). A fine needle aspiration cytology was reported as a chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis. A presumptive diagnosis of thyroid carcinoma with retrosternal extension was made. At surgery, manipulation of the mass was difficult as the tissue was soft, slimy and ruptured easily. Severe hemorrhage was encountered necessitating a median sternotomy to control the bleeding vessels. Her post-operative period was stormy, however she thereafter made gradual progress to warrant her discharge six weeks post surgery.

Transclavicular access as an adjunct to standard cervical incision in the treatment of mediastinal goitre

There are cases in which resection of cervico-mediastinal goitres requires additional thoracic access as an adjunct to standard transverse cervicotomy, and typically this takes the form of sternotomy or thoracotomy. The authors propose transclavicular access as an alternative to thoracotomy or sternotomy access for the removal of such goitres. This technical variant is performed by means of resection of the middle third of the clavicle and extraperiosteal disarticulation. They report a case of cervicomediastinal or "plunged" goitre associated with mediastinal metastasis from a follicular thyroid carcinoma in a 77-year-old woman, in whom this technical variant was used. They conclude by stressing the greater effectiveness, ease of execution and relatively limited "aggressiveness" of the technique in comparison with other ways of reaching the mediastinum. The variant proves effective in solving a number of technical, functional and aesthetic problems.