Goitre plongeant: intrathoracic goiter demonstrated by the Valsalva maneuver.

A PATIENT was found to have a mediastin-al inass on a routine chest x-ray. The inat-Lne of the lesion, anl intrathoracic. goiter, was determined only after several diagnostie procedures. In r etrospect, the correct diagnosis could have been made during the initial physical examiniationi by mleanis of the Valsalva mnaneuver. A seconid patienit was reeelntly seeni with a sinmilar lesion. The Valsalva maneuver again was useful in conifirmning the diagnosis of ani intrathoracie goiter. Because of the rarity of the phenomenon anid because this maneuver cani easily be employed durinig an examinationi of patienits with undiagnosed inediastina-l lesions, these cases are presenited.