Large Retrosternal Goiter: An Otolaryngological Perspective-Case Series and Review of Literature

Introduction: Retrosternal goiter can cause respiratory distress, dysphagia, compression of great vessels, and even sudden death. Surgery is the only effective treatment. The presence of retrosternal extension is an indication for surgery even in the absence of clinical symptoms as it will continue to grow and cause pressure symptoms eventually. Intra operative and post operative airway management also poses a challenge in such cases. Most retrosternal goitres can be excised via a cervical approach; however, in cases of large size with very inferior extent, abnormal vasculature, in cases of recurrent goitres or thyroid cancer, a midline sternotomy may be necessary for exposure, safety, and completion of the excision.