A new treatment strategy for airway obstruction induced by a giant benign goiter: A case report

Severe respiratory distress induced by airway obstruction requires prompt attention for restoration of normal function in the airway passage. A large benign thyroid goiter that compresses the trachea is a rare occurrence. Emergency thyroidectomy with dyspnea can increase the chance of surgical complications in such cases. Here, a rare case of dyspnea induced by a large goiter is reported and a safe and effective therapeutic strategy for treatment was demonstrated. First, a self-expandable metal stent was placed to relieve airway obstruction. A week later, total thyroidectomy under general anesthesia was performed. After 3 months, the metal stent was surgically removed. The findings of the present case report demonstrated that life-threatening airway obstruction secondary to benign goiter could be effectively treated by placing an airway stent, followed by thyroidectomy.