Retrosternal Goitre
Retrosternal Goitre
A retrosternal goitre, also known as a substernal goitre, is a thyroid gland enlargement that extends beyond the normal thyroid location in the neck and into the upper chest cavity.
When a goitre extends behind the sternum (breastbone), it is considered retrosternal. This condition can cause compression of the trachea (windpipe) and oesophagus (food pipe), leading to symptoms such as difficulty breathing, coughing, and difficulty swallowing.
Treatment for a retrosternal goitre typically involves surgical removal of the thyroid gland. Most of these tumours can be removed from the neck without splitting the breast bone (sternotomy).
Fig.1 Large swelling in the neck extending up to manubrium. Couldn’t feel the lower border.
Fig.2 (a) MRI shows a large thyroid tumour compressing and displacing the trachea.
Fig.2 (b) MRI shows a large thyroid tumour with intrathoracic extension. Green arrow indicates the extent of tumour in the neck. Yellow arrow indicates the extent of tumour in the chest (superior mediastinum)
Fig.3 Horizontal skin incision from sternomastoid to sternomastoid. The dotted line indicates possible vertical extension if sternotomy is needed for exposing the superior mediastinum.
Fig.4 Entire tumour was removed with a small incision in the neck. Sternotomy was not done. Yellow arrow – intrathoracic portion. Green arrow – neck portion.
Fig.5 Tumour measures 12 cm in vertical dimention.
Fig.6 Wound sutured after leaving a drain.
The Heart Of Clinic
Dr. C. Rayappa MBBS, DLO, FRCS(Edin)
SENIOR CONSULTANT
+91 44 3315 1105
Dr. C. Rayappa graduated from Madras Medical College, Chennai, India in 1982. He completed his post graduation in Otolaryngology (ENT)
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The Heart Of Clinic
Dr. C. Rayappa MBBS, DLO, FRCS(Edin)
SENIOR CONSULTANT
+91 44 3315 1105
Dr. C. Rayappa graduated from Madras Medical College, Chennai, India in 1982. He completed his post graduation in Otolaryngology (ENT)