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Metastatic papillary thyroid carcinoma with internal jugular vein tumor thrombus - A case report and review of the literature

  • 0Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Clalit Medical Health Care Services, Haifa and Western Galilee District, Bar-Ilan Faculty of Medicine, Safed, Israel.
Frontiers in Endocrinology +

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February 13, 2025

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February 13, 2025

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Papillary thyroid carcinoma can rarely invade major vessels, forming tumor thrombi in veins like the internal jugular vein. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial for managing this aggressive complication.

Area Of Science

  • Oncology
  • Vascular Surgery
  • Radiology

Background

  • Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is the most common thyroid malignancy, usually indolent.
  • Rarely, PTC exhibits aggressive behavior, including vascular invasion and extension into major vessels.
  • Intraluminal tumor thrombus in great veins, such as the internal jugular vein (IJV), is an uncommon but significant PTC complication.

Purpose Of The Study

  • To present a rare case of papillary thyroid carcinoma with intraluminal tumor thrombus in the internal jugular vein.
  • To highlight the importance of early and accurate diagnosis for optimal surgical planning and prognosis.
  • To emphasize the need for vigilant long-term follow-up due to potential recurrence.

Main Methods

  • Case presentation of a 56-year-old male with a right neck mass.
  • Diagnostic workup included neck ultrasonography, ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy, and contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) of the neck.
  • Surgical intervention involved total thyroidectomy, modified radical neck dissection, and resection of the involved IJV segment.
  • Postoperative treatment included radioactive iodine (I-131) ablation therapy.

Main Results

  • Diagnosis of papillary thyroid carcinoma with intraluminal tumor thrombus extending into the right IJV confirmed.
  • Patient underwent successful surgical resection and adjuvant radioactive iodine therapy.
  • One-year follow-up revealed disease recurrence, necessitating vigilant monitoring.

Conclusions

  • Intraluminal tumor thrombus is a rare but critical complication of papillary thyroid carcinoma, especially with vascular invasion.
  • Doppler ultrasonography and contrast-enhanced CT are vital for preoperative diagnosis and surgical planning.
  • Long-term follow-up is essential due to the potential for recurrence in patients with advanced PTC and vascular involvement.

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