Dysphagia and Dyspnea Caused by a Giant Hyalinizing Trabecular Tumor: A Case Report

We describe the case of a 93-year-old woman with a giant thyroid neoplasm related to dyspnea and dysphagia. The patient visited our hospital for loss of appetite and dyspnea after bronchitis. Computed tomography revealed a massively enlarged thyroid gland compressing the trachea and esophagus. Cytological examination of the thyroid gland revealed features suggestive of hyalinizing trabecular tumor, a low-grade neoplasm. Videofluoroscopic swallowing examination demonstrated significant food retention and reflux in the esophagus, likely caused by upper esophageal compression. Despite recommending thyroidectomy, the patient declined surgery and received conservative and rehabilitative treatment, leading to improvement in her symptoms and discharge after 63 days. Giant thyroid neoplasms can compress surrounding organs, leading to respiratory and swallowing difficulties. The airway's proximity to the thyroid gland makes it particularly vulnerable to compression. This case demonstrates the potential for significant respiratory and swallowing complications associated with large thyroid tumors.