Substernal goiters can have a range of presentations and pathology from a complete lack of symptoms to minimal biochemical abnormalities to potentially lethal physical derangements due to tracheal compression. We review a case of a substernal goiter with severe tracheal compression and airway compromise and describe the presentation, diagnosis, operative treatment, perianesthetic management and...

The radiologist needs to be aware of a potential pitfall that can influence the imaging appearance of thyroid goiter. Whether the patient is imaged with the arms overhead or by the side may affect the apparent mediastinal excursion of a goiter. CT scans obtained with the patient's arms by the side are more accurate for determining substernal extent of goiter than when the arms are overhead, a p...

INTRODUCTION We present a rare case of chylothorax associated with an intrathoracic goiter in Graves' disease that was treated with radioactive iodine. CASE REPORT A 23-year-old woman with Graves' disease was referred to our clinic with a pleural effusion, dyspnea, characteristic bilateral proptosis, and a diffuse goiter. The pleural fluid biochemistry was consistent with chylothorax. However...

Chylothorax due to goiter is an exceptional compressive complication; compressive goiter usually causes narrowing of the trachea and compression of the esophagus or jugular vein. Because of anatomical relationship, right-side chylothorax is caused by a very large and low-lying goiter. In those cases usually the surgical approach is a sternotomy instead of transcervical thyroidectomy, that is as...