The definition of substernal goiter (SG) is based on variable criteria leading to a considerable variation in the reported incidence (from 0.2% to 45%). The peri- and postoperative complications are higher in total thyroidectomy (TT) for SG than that for cervical goiter. The aim of this study was to evaluate the preoperative risk factors associated with postoperative complications. From 2002 to...

BACKGROUND Our objective was to evaluate morbidity and mortality of thyroidectomy in substernal goiters and identify patients at risk for these events. METHODS The medical records of 127 patients with substernal goiters were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS The most common preoperative symptom was shortness of breath (48%). 13% of the 127 patients were asymptomatic. Preoperative imaging id...

Large posterior mediastinal goiters are extremely rare. Progressive enlargement and possible compression of adjacent structures, as well as malignant potential necessitate that these goiters should be surgically excised. A review of mediastinal tumors, specifically intra-thoracic goiters is presented along with a case report of acute respiratory compromise secondary to tracheal compression by a...

The effort required to inhale a breath of air is a critically important measure in assessing airway function. Although the contribution of the trachea to the total flow resistance of the airways is generally modest, pathological alterations in tracheal geometry can have a significant negative effect. This study investigates the mechanisms of flow energy loss in a healthy trachea and in four geo...

syndrome in extensive haemangioma of the tongue and lip in a newborn infant.4 Thirdly, the substernal goitres reported in the literature have not been uniformly defined in relation to the proportion of the thyroid gland within the thorax. Therefore, it is rather difficult to compare the sizes and the results of reported series of substernal goitres. For the last decade, we and others' have chos...

syndrome in extensive haemangioma of the tongue and lip in a newborn infant.4 Thirdly, the substernal goitres reported in the literature have not been uniformly defined in relation to the proportion of the thyroid gland within the thorax. Therefore, it is rather difficult to compare the sizes and the results of reported series of substernal goitres. For the last decade, we and others' have chos...

BACKGROUND Goiter, or benign enlargement of the thyroid gland, can be asymptomatic or can cause compression of surrounding structures such as the esophagus and/or trachea. The options for medical treatment of euthyroid goiter are short-lived and are limited to thyroxine hormone suppression and radioactive iodine ablation. The objective of this statement article is to discuss optimal surgical ma...

A thyroid mass, most often a non toxic colloid goiter or occasionally an adenoma, is not an unusual finding below the level of the thoracic inlet.1 In 1992 Creswell and Wells estimated that these tumors comprise 5.8% of all mediastinal lesions.1 There is no standard definition for thyroid glands extending below the thoracic inlet, but such masses descend from their original cervical location fo...

Massive goiter with retrosternal extension may impose additional risk such as difficult intubation, tracheomalacia, and possibility of different incision and approach including sternotomy. We would like to report a case of massive goiter encasing major neck structures and how it was managed.

Patients with superior mediastinal tumours usually present with symptoms due to compression of adjacent organs, unless they are hormone-secreting tumours. This case is described in order to draw attention to the very unusual occurrence of systemic hypertension due to outside compression of the aortic arch without concomitant obstruction of the venous return, and to emphasize the necessity of su...