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Minimal Invasive Resection of Large Retrosternal Thyroid Goiter
Published on: September 20, 2024
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Mediastinal ectopic thyroid mass with normal thyroid function and location: Case report
Mohamed Regal1, Mohammed Maamoun Kamel1, Hassan Alyami1
1King Fahad Military Medical Complex, Dharan, Saudi Arabia.
International Journal of Surgery Case Reports
|October 7, 2018
Summary
Mediastinal ectopic thyroid tissue is a rare cause of mediastinal masses, even with normal thyroid function and location. This case highlights the importance of differentiating it from substernal goiter.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Thoracic Surgery
- Pathology
Background:
- Mediastinal ectopic thyroid gland is a rare condition, comprising 1% of mediastinal tumors.
- This case presents a rare instance of mediastinal ectopic thyroid tissue discovered incidentally.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report a rare case of mediastinal ectopic thyroid tissue.
- To emphasize the importance of differentiating mediastinal ectopic thyroid from substernal goiter.
Main Methods:
- A 32-year-old female with an incidentally discovered mediastinal mass after trauma.
- Diagnostic workup included normal thyroid function tests, CT scans of neck and chest, and histopathology.
- Surgical excision via midline partial sternotomy was performed.
Main Results:
- CT revealed a large mediastinal mass compressing the trachea, with a normal cervical thyroid gland.
- Histopathology confirmed ectopic thyroid tissue, negative for malignancy.
- Postoperative ultrasound confirmed normal thyroid lobes.
Conclusions:
- Ectopic thyroid tissue (ETT) results from failed migration during embryogenesis.
- Mediastinal ETT is rare and can present with normal thyroid function and anatomy.
- Distinguishing mediastinal ETT from substernal goiter is crucial.
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