Neck swelling after thyroidectomy: not always a haematoma

Area of Science:

• Surgical Oncology
• Endocrinology
• Gastroenterology

Background:

• Thyroidectomy and central neck compartment lymphadenectomy are procedures for suspected thyroid carcinoma.
• Chyle leak is an uncommon but significant complication after neck surgery.

Observation:

• A patient developed neck swelling six days post-thyroidectomy and lymphadenectomy.
• Initial suspicion of hematoma was disproven by needle aspiration revealing chyle.

Findings:

• The chyle leak was successfully managed conservatively.
• Treatment involved repeated needle aspirations and a low-fat diet.

Implications:

• This case highlights the importance of considering chyle leak in post-thyroidectomy neck swelling.
• Conservative management strategies can be effective for chyle leaks.
• Understanding the etiology and presentation aids in timely diagnosis and treatment.