Add like
Add dislike
Add to saved papers

Management of substernal goiter.

Laryngoscope 1998 November
OBJECTIVE: To analyze the presentation, evaluation and treatment of patients with large substernal goiters, with emphasis on the radiographic evaluation and the results of treatment.

STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective chart review of 150 patients undergoing thyroidectomy at the Vanderbilt University Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery.

METHODS: Charts of patients undergoing thyroidectomy were reviewed. Those with substernal goiter, defined as a major portion of the goiter within the mediastinum, were included in the study. When available, the radiographic studies were reviewed by a staff neuroradiologist.

RESULTS: Twenty-three patients (15.3%) presented with substernal extension of the goiter. Characteristics of these patients included mean age of 59 years, 78% female, symptoms of compression such as dyspnea, choking, and dysphagia (65%), hoarseness (43%), and previous thyroid surgery (30%). Seventeen percent were asymptomatic. Preoperative radiographs demonstrated tracheal compression (73%), tracheal deviation (77%), esophageal compression (27%), and major vessel displacement (50%). Histology revealed multinodular goiter (16/23, 70%), thyroiditis (3/23, 13%), and malignancy (4/23, 17%). The average size of the resected specimen in greatest dimension was 8.0 cm (range, 3.0-14.0 cm) and weighed 148 g (range, 39-426 g). All were successfully approached through a transcervical incision without the need for sternotomy, and total thyroidectomy was performed in 83% of the cases. No major complications have been documented, and no evidence of tracheomalacia was encountered.

CONCLUSION: Despite the large size of these goiters and the significant involvement of the major mediastinal structures, all were approached through the transcervical incision. Further, despite significant tracheal involvement, there were no cases of tracheomalacia or major complications. For intraoperative planning, the authors advocate the routine use of preoperative computed tomography scanning.

Full text links

We have located links that may give you full text access.
Can't access the paper?
Try logging in through your university/institutional subscription. For a smoother one-click institutional access experience, please use our mobile app.

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app

Mobile app image

Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app

All material on this website is protected by copyright, Copyright © 1994-2024 by WebMD LLC.
This website also contains material copyrighted by 3rd parties.

By using this service, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy.

Your Privacy Choices Toggle icon

You can now claim free CME credits for this literature searchClaim now

Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app