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Updated: Mar 23, 2026
Minimal Invasive Resection of Large Retrosternal Thyroid Goiter
Published on: September 20, 2024
A rare presentation of a large goiter with papillary thyroid microcarcinoma as a chest wall mass: A case report
Zhen-Ning Tang1, Qi-Lun Liu1, Zhi-Qiang Hu1
1Department of Oncological Surgery, The General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, Ningxia 750004, P.R. China.
Insights
This study presents a rare case of multinodular goiter with papillary thyroid microcarcinoma. The benign thyroid mass unusually presented as a chest lesion, highlighting a unique clinical presentation.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Surgical Pathology
- Oncology
Background:
- Nodular goiter is a common endocrine disorder.
- Thyroid goiters typically enlarge downwards into the mediastinum.
- Unusual presentations of goiter can pose diagnostic challenges.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report a rare case of multinodular goiter with concurrent papillary thyroid microcarcinoma.
- To describe an atypical presentation of a benign thyroid condition.
- To highlight the importance of thorough histopathological examination.
Main Methods:
- Case report of a 76-year-old male patient.
- Clinical presentation and imaging review.
- Surgical resection and detailed histopathological analysis.
Main Results:
- A large multinodular goiter with hemorrhage, necrosis, and cystic changes was found.
- A 0.2 cm papillary thyroid microcarcinoma was incidentally identified within the goiter.
- The goiter presented as a subcutaneous chest lesion, not a typical mediastinal extension.
Conclusions:
- Multinodular goiter can present in rare and unexpected ways.
- Papillary thyroid microcarcinoma can be an incidental finding in benign goiters.
- This case underscores the variability in thyroid disease presentation and emphasizes diagnostic vigilance.
Abstract:
Nodular goiter affects numerous individuals worldwide. As the thyroid enlarges, it normally extends into the mediastinum as a result of its anatomical location under the investing layer of the deep cervical fascia. The present study reports the rare case of a 76-year-old man who suffered from a goiter with papillary thyroid microcarcinoma, who presented as a subcutaneous partially cystic with solid areas lesion over the chest. The patient underwent surgery and on histopathological examination, the predominant mass was characterized as a multinodular goiter with hemorrhage, necrosis and cystic change. A papillary thyroid microcarcinoma with a diameter of 0.2 cm was identified. The present study demonstrated a rare, to the best of our knowledge, presentation of a benign multinodular goiter in this way.
