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Thyroid gland hematoma after blunt neck trauma
Baris Saylam1, Bülent Comçali, Mehmet Vasfi Ozer
1Ankara Numune Teaching and Research Hospital, Department of 3rd Surgery, Ankara, Turkey.
The Western Journal of Emergency Medicine
|January 5, 2010
Summary
Blunt trauma can rarely cause acute thyroid gland hemorrhage, leading to hoarseness. This case highlights diagnosis via laryngoscopy, CT, and angiography, with successful conservative management.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Trauma Surgery
- Diagnostic Imaging
Background:
- Thyroid gland hemorrhage from blunt trauma is exceptionally rare.
- Acute thyroid hematomas can present with airway compromise symptoms like hoarseness.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report a rare case of blunt trauma-induced thyroid hemorrhage.
- To describe the diagnostic approach and successful conservative management of this condition.
Main Methods:
- Case report of a patient with blunt neck trauma.
- Diagnostic workup included fiberoptic laryngoscopy, cervical computed tomography (CT), and carotid angiography.
- Treatment involved conservative management.
Main Results:
- The patient presented with hoarseness secondary to acute thyroid hemorrhage.
- Diagnostic imaging confirmed a thyroid gland hematoma.
- Conservative treatment resulted in a favorable outcome without complications.
Conclusions:
- Blunt trauma can precipitate thyroid gland hemorrhage, a rare clinical entity.
- A combination of laryngoscopy and advanced imaging is crucial for diagnosis.
- Conservative management can be effective for thyroid hematomas in select cases.
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