Airway obstruction due to goiter in older patients

It has been shown that goiters can progressively enlarge to compress the surrounding trachea or esophagus and result in incapacitating obstructive symptoms or potentially fatal airway obstruction. The potential of a goiter to become hyperactive also exists. Recently, we have seen three older patients with longstanding untreated "benign" goiters who presented difficult management decisions. Given the likelihood of progressive growth of a goiter and the increased life expectancy of these patients with goiters, it is essential to perform flow-volume loop studies while following these patients.