[Multinodular diving goiters: 100 cases in Morocco]

To assess 100 cases of multinodular diving goiters, the authors review the literature to compare the epidemiology, clinical pictures, additional required work-up, treatments, complications, and sequelae.

Records of 100 cases of multinodular diving goiters were collected in the surgical department of the Military Hospital of Marrakesh in Morocco from 1991 through 2004. They accounted for 6% of all goiters. The sex ratio was clearly female, and the mean age 50 years. The clinical symptoms of diving goiters involves mainly signs of compression, with dyspnea seen in 50% of cases. Thyroid dysfunction was found in only 25% of our patients. A diagnosis of diving goiter must be suspected when there are signs of mediastinal compression and a palpable cervical goiter, as seen in all our patients. The diagnosis can often be confirmed with thoracic radiography and thyroid scintigraphy. Treatment is mainly surgical and depends on disease course. Cervicotomy was performed in 97% of our patients and was sufficient to extract even most voluminous goiters and those deepest in the mediastinum.

Immediate operative results were satisfactory. More long-term results were also generally satisfactory, except for 4 cases of recurrent paralysis and 5 cases of hypoparathyroidism. Both have been reported by several authors.

Surgical management of multinodular diving goiters is necessary. In general, cervicotomy is sufficient, and the results generally satisfactory, except some complications and neoplasms.