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Superior vena cava syndrome and tracheal obstruction due to multinodular goiter
Author(s) -
McKellar Daniel P.,
Verazin Gary T.,
Lim K. M.,
Spiegel Jerome C.,
Block Blaine L.
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
head and neck
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.012
H-Index - 127
eISSN - 1097-0347
pISSN - 1043-3074
DOI - 10.1002/hed.2880160114
Subject(s) - medicine , superior vena cava syndrome , superior vena cava , airway obstruction , malignancy , multinodular goiter , goiter , mediastinal mass , surgery , radiology , airway , thyroid
Tracheal obstruction and superior vena cava (SVC) syndrome are rare complications of retrosternal goiter. These two conditions present a difficult diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. Malignancy is the most common cause of SVC syndrome. Determining whether SVC syndrome is due to a benign or malignant process is imperative before instituting treatment, but this determination may be difficult. We present a case of a patient presenting with upper airway obstruction and SVC syndrome with a large mediastinal mass. The mass was determined to be a multinodular goiter. The patient was managed by surgical removal of the goiter with complete resolution of symptoms. This case illustrates the need for careful preoperative evaluation and the importance of establishing a histologic diagnosis prior to initiating treatment for SVC syndrome. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.