Specialities » Head and Neck Tumour Surgery » Thyroid Cancer » 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)

Mithun Das

03:35 18 Mar 23

Its a pleasure experience with Dr. Rayappa C. We came for my wife thyroid nodules operation and testing for cancer malignancy. Doctor taken care everything with my previous diagnosis report and suggest to surgery half of thyroid infected lob.After this operation we got biopsy report that indicate still cancer not affected.Thanks to doctor and wishes him all the very best.

Saima Hasin

07:07 13 Mar 23

A sincere and dedicated doctor. He treated my husband for Oral Cancer. He gave his best efforts to overcome the disease. With patience and sincerity he handled the post surgery stages. We are so thankful to him. Expressing our gratitude to Almighty Allah and of course to Dr.Rayappa for his recovery .

Reyad Alam

16:49 16 Feb 23

Just saying ‘Thank you’ will not justify what Dr. Rayappa sir has done for us.My mom was having difficulty in breathing for merely 2 years due to thyroid enlargement.So we consulted Dr.Rayappa and he asked us to do surgery as soon as possible. It was hard for us to take the decision since a lot of risks was involved but we went ahead with it.Post surgery - My mom feels so energetic and alive, which she never felt before. Can breathe better, can talk, and just recovered in 2 days. The surgery was a success and Dr. Rayappa and his team took great for us throughout. We can’t describe the joy and happiness we’re filled with to see my mother so healthy.We give our heartfelt gratitude to Dr.Rayappa sir and his team.Dr. Rayappa is a great Otolaryngologist and we highly recommend him.

Poojha Shri

15:49 06 Feb 23

This is Vanamadevi patient of Dr.Rayappa. Dr sir is a God in the form of human. Highly blessed to be treated by him.Gave us hope in a hopeless situation. Very good service by the whole team. Thank you.

Rajiya Sultana

08:47 06 Jan 23

I am very much satisfied in your treatment. Dr.Rayappa sir is a very kind hearted man and a great doctors ever seen in my life.May Allah bless him and his family.

Retrosternal Goitre