기도폐쇄를 동반한 흉골하 갑상선종 1예

Retrosternal goiter presenting airway obstruction: A case report

Open surgical treatment is the traditional approach and management of retrosternal goiter presenting airway obstruction. Tracheal repair is primarily considered in cases of significant airway narrowing. An 88-year-old female presented with worsening dyspnea and was diagnosed with a huge retrosternal goiter. Preoperative imaging revealed airway compression, and thus a thyroidectomy with possible tracheal repair was planned. However, conventional electromyography tube cannot be used due to narrow airway. We performed intraoperative neural monitoring successfully with needle electrode. Tracheal repair was not necessary after removal of the goiter because tracheal wall recovered from compression by thyroid gland. Here we report this case with a review of literature.