The Use of Point-of-Care Ultrasound for Suspected Traumatic Thyroid Gland Rupture

Area of Science:

• Emergency Medicine
• Radiology
• Endocrinology

Background:

• Thyroid gland rupture is an exceptionally rare condition.
• It most commonly affects individuals with pre-existing thyroid enlargement or hyperthyroidism.
• Potential life-threatening complications include airway obstruction and thyroid storms.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the rarity and potential severity of thyroid gland rupture.
• To emphasize the importance of considering this diagnosis in blunt neck trauma patients.
• To showcase the utility of point-of-care ultrasound in diagnosing thyroid rupture.

Main Methods:

• Case report of a 19-year-old male with no prior medical history.
• Presentation following blunt neck trauma with anterior neck swelling and pain.
• Diagnostic workup included point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) and computed tomography (CT) scan with contrast.

Main Results:

• POCUS revealed a hypoechoic hematoma in the right thyroid lobe.
• CT scan confirmed thyroid enlargement with central non-enhancement, indicating rupture.
• The patient was diagnosed with thyroid gland rupture.

Conclusions:

• Emergency physicians must consider thyroid gland rupture in blunt neck trauma cases.
• Management should be guided by the extent of injury, airway compromise risk, and thyroid function.
• POCUS is a valuable tool for emergency physicians suspecting thyroid gland rupture.