[Globus sensation as a sign of medullary thyroid carcinoma]

Medullary carcinomas represent 4% of all thyroid carcinomas. Most important for diagnosis are ultrasound criteria and determination of serum calcitonin, using the pentagastrin test if necessary. We report on a 51-year-old woman who was suffering from persistent globus sensation. Ultrasound examination detected a small thyroid nodule with microcalcification in the right thyroid gland. Serum calcitonin representing the most important tumor marker was massively increased. We performed a total thyroidectomy with dissection of the paratracheal compartments and a conservative neck dissection on the side of the tumor. Postoperatively, serum calcitonin decreased but still remained increased overall. Because there is no other therapeutic option besides surgical treatment, the initial intervention is of tremendous importance. In addition, examination for a possible hereditary medullary thyroid carcinoma is required, which influences the patient's prognosis considerably and necessitates screening examinations of other relatives.