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Updated: Jun 13, 2026

Minimal Invasive Resection of Large Retrosternal Thyroid Goiter
Published on: September 20, 2024
Spontaneous rupture of the inferior thyroid artery resulting in mediastinal hematoma
Konrad Hoetzenecker1, Michael Töpker, Walter Klepetko
1Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Währinger Gürtel 18-20, 1090 Vienna, Austria.
Abstract:
In obstructive urinary tract disorders, the Valsalva maneuver can be performed in order to ease micturition. Among other things, the maneuver leads to complex vascular reactions and increases the systemic blood pressure. These vascular changes pose a serious stressor to the vessel wall and ruptures of small arteries have been anecdotically described in literature. Herein, we present a case of a patient referred to a thoracic surgeon with a huge mediastinal hematoma. Diagnostic work-up revealed a spontaneous rupture of the left inferior thyroid artery due to repetitive Valsalva maneuver.
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