Post thyroidectomy suture granuloma: a cytological diagnosis

Area of Science:

• Surgical Pathology
• Head and Neck Surgery
• Oncology

Background:

• Post-thyroidectomy complications can include rare instances of suture granuloma.
• Suture granulomas are benign inflammatory reactions to non-absorbable sutures, presenting as delayed masses.
• These granulomas can clinically mimic thyroid cancer recurrence or lymph node metastasis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report a case of suture granuloma presenting years after thyroidectomy.
• To emphasize the importance of considering suture granuloma in the differential diagnosis of neck masses post-thyroidectomy.
• To highlight the diagnostic challenges posed by suture granulomas mimicking malignancy.

Main Methods:

• Case report of a 46-year-old female patient.
• Detailed patient history including prior thyroidectomy.
• Clinical presentation of a painless lateral neck swelling.

Main Results:

• The patient presented with a palpable, asymptomatic neck mass five years post-thyroidectomy.
• The mass was initially suspected to be recurrent thyroid cancer or metastasis.
• Histopathological examination confirmed a benign suture granuloma.

Conclusions:

• Suture granulomas are infrequent but significant late complications of thyroidectomy.
• Early recognition and differentiation from cancer recurrence are crucial for appropriate patient management.
• This case underscores the need for vigilance in evaluating post-thyroidectomy neck masses.