Giant Intrathoracic Goiter of Atypical Presentation: A Case Report

Introduction

Goiter is defined as the abnormal growth of the thyroid gland diffusely or nodularly. The normal thyroid gland is caudal to the larynx in the anterolateral portion of the trachea and is covered by the thin muscles of the neck, subcutaneous cell tissue and skin, therefore the growth of its lobes usually occurs up and out in the neck where there is less resistance. Intrathoracic goiter represents about 5% of all resected mediastinal tumors,^1,2 defined as the growth of more than 50% of the thyroid tissue below the thoracic operculum. ³ In most cases, it is located in the anterior mediastinum. ⁴ Clinical presentation includes dyspnea, palpable cervical mass, odynophagia, dysphagia, dysphonia, stridor and superior vena cava syndrome. ² Chest x-ray and computed tomography (CT)-scan are useful for locating the lesion, identifying its limits and defining the best surgical approach.

Case Report

A 66-year-old, non-smoking woman, with a history of sub-total thyroidectomy 33 years ago due to a thyroid nodule. Consultation with a 7-month moderate dyspnea associated with dry cough in the last 3 months. At admission, vital signs were normal; she had no retractions, cyanosis, or stridor. No evidence of neck masses, or jugular engorgement, no edema or collateral circulation, normal auscultation, and normal abdominal physical examination. Chest x-ray showed an 11 cm mass in the upper right hemithorax with regular edges. In the chest CT scan, the heterogeneous rounded lesion showed calcifications inside, 11 cm in diameter, which compressed the superior vena cava without infiltration, the right subclavian vein and displaced the trachea to the left (Figure 1). Due to the size of the lesion, it was very difficult to differentiate whether it was of mediastinal origin or one of intrapulmonary behavior. In addition, a thyroid gamma scan was performed showing infrasternal uptake suggestive of supernumerary thyroid glands. A CT-guided biopsy was performed from which four fragments were obtained. H&E staining showed no pathological alteration. Immunohistochemistry showed positive TTF-1 which confirms thyroid gland origin. After a multidisciplinary assessment, a resection of the mass via bilateral thoracotomy was decided, in which the mediastinum and right hemithorax were exposed. Intraoperative findings showed a 16 cm mass of cystic content with large desmoplastic reaction, from the mediastinum which displaced the lung and great vessels but did not infiltrate them. The final histopathological diagnosis was of thyroid tissue with findings of multinodular goiter, without signs of malignancy, with cystic dilations containing colloid material, chronic inflammation and presence of foamy histiocytes (Figure 2). The patient had adequate postoperative clinical evolution.

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Figure 1.

Different projections of the CT scan of the chest where the rounded lesion of defined edges of 11 cm in diameter can be seen in the projection of the right superior lobe of heterogeneous aspect and with calcifications inside.

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Figure 2.

A, B. H&E staining: thyroid tissue with cystic dilations and colloid material is identified. C, D. H&E staining: a cystic lesion with chronic inflammation, cholesterol crystals, and foamy histiocytes is observed.

Discussion and Conclusion

Intrathoracic goiter represents about 5% of all mediastinal tumors. The incidence of multinodular goiter increases after age 50,^1,2 is more prevalent in women, has intrathoracic extension, and at least 50% of the thyroid mass is located under the suprasternal fossa or the fourth thoracic vertebra. ³ It can be ectopic or more frequently, acquired,^3,4 which originates in the cervical thyroid gland and descends through the fascial plane to the mediastinum. ⁵ Usually, it is located in the upper mediastinum, although it can be retrotracheal or retroesophageal, producing different symptoms. ⁴ Clinical presentation is very diverse and nonspecific, therefore diagnostic images are required. Chest radiography assesses the location of the mediastinal mass, the displacement or compression of adjacent structures and the presence of calcifications ⁵ ; chest CT is better to characterize limits with intrathoracic structures, it is useful to identify the etiology and plan the best surgical approach. Finally, thyroid gamma scan is used to estimate the functional state, nature, and extent. ⁶ It is usually recommended to perform a fine needle biopsy in the cervical location goiters, and in the intrathoracic ones, this is useful for histological analysis prior to surgery.^7,8

Whenever obstructive symptoms or compression of cervical and thoracic vascular structures occur, surgical or ablative management is recommended.^9,7 In some cases, mass resection is performed in order to prevent future obstruction, and it is mandatory when there is high suspicion of malignancy. ⁵ Histopathology frequently shows benign lesions, and less than 10% are malignant tumors that generally occur in the elderly. ¹ Approximately 50% accounts for multinodular goiter, as in our patient, where iodine deficiency and altered thyroxine synthesis favor tumor growth. ² Other causes of intrathoracic goiter are follicular adenoma and chronic autoimmune thyroiditis; therefore, it is important to complete the pathological study including immunohistochemistry.^1,3

In cases of intrathoracic goiter, resection can be done by median sternotomy, posterolateral thoracotomy or bilateral thoracotomy, as planned with our patient. ¹⁰ In the cases where large goiters are present, during the surgical approach the weight of the mass must be considered, for it can lead to large vessel compression and/or trigger an intraoperative arrest; therefore, it is safer to place the patient in supine position, for a better control of the great vessels and the opposite lung. Also, in this case, it was considered that sternotomy offered a difficult approach, for which bilateral thoracotomy was performed.

These lesions are much vascularized and are adjacent to large vascular structures; for it is necessary to anticipate bleeding taking into account the possible difficulties in intubation and ventilation secondary to the distortion of the upper airway, in the pre-anesthetic assessment. ¹¹ Most cases are euthyroid. In the presence of a toxic goiter, radioactive iodine treatment can be performed in patients with high surgical risk who are not candidates for the interventions described.^2,7,8 Complications associated with surgical management are nerve injuries, bruises, infections, hypoparathyroidism, and airway injuries.

In conclusion, intrathoracic goiters are usually benign lesions that should undergo surgical or ablative management when compressive symptoms of the airway and cervical or thoracic vessels are present. The large size of the tumor along with the presentation after thyroidectomy and the seeming location in the right upper lobe make this particular case striking. In the elderly, the decision of resection must be accompanied by careful and well-planned multidisciplinary perioperative management to guarantee a successful recovery.