Giant Cervical Goiter With Posterior Mediastinal Extension

Area of Science:

• Thoracic Surgery
• Endocrinology
• Surgical Oncology

Background:

• Cervico-mediastinal goiters commonly occur in the anterior mediastinum.
• A significant minority (10-15%) are found in the posterior mediastinum, posing surgical challenges.

Observation:

• A case of a massive cervico-mediastinal goiter extending retrotracheally to the posterior mediastinum is presented.
• The goiter required a combined transcervical and right posterolateral thoracotomy for complete surgical resection.

Findings:

• Histopathological examination confirmed a large toxic goiter.
• The patient experienced a successful recovery and was discharged within one week post-operation.

Implications:

• This case highlights the efficacy of a combined surgical approach for complex posterior mediastinal goiters.
• It suggests that transcervical and posterolateral thoracotomy can be a viable alternative to sternotomy for goiters extending beyond the aortic arch.