Mixed laryngocele mimicking thyroid nodule

Area of Science:

• Otolaryngology
• Radiology
• Pathology

Background:

• Laryngocele, a laryngeal saccule dilation forming an air sac, requires careful differential diagnosis.
• Thyroid nodules are common, often evaluated with Doppler ultrasonography and fine-needle aspiration biopsy.

Observation:

• A 31-year-old male presented with a suspected thyroid nodule based on initial ultrasonography.
• Cytopathological analysis and imaging studies suggested a mixed laryngocele, not a thyroid nodule.
• Computed tomography confirmed the diagnosis of mixed laryngocele.

Findings:

• The patient was asymptomatic and remained so throughout the diagnostic process and follow-up.
• The mixed laryngocele mimicked a thyroid nodule, demonstrating potential for diagnostic confusion.
• This case underscores the varied clinical presentations and imaging characteristics of laryngoceles.

Implications:

• Clinicians should maintain a high index of suspicion for laryngocele when evaluating neck masses, especially those with imaging similarities to thyroid nodules.
• Accurate diagnosis through combined cytopathological and advanced imaging techniques (e.g., CT) is crucial for appropriate patient management.
• Awareness of laryngocele's potential to mimic other conditions can prevent misdiagnosis and ensure timely intervention if necessary.