Diagnosis and treatment of 22 cases with substernal goite

Abstract

Objective To study the diagnosis, surgical approaches and prevention of complications for substernal goiter. Methods A retrospective study of 22 cases of substernal thyroid nodules was made. Results Among the 22 cases, 10 cases were nodular goite, 7 cases were adenomas,3 cases were nodular goiter canceration,1 case was papillary thyroid car-cinoma with lymph node metastases adjacent to the trachea. Resection via cervical collar incision was adequate in 20 cases.Thyroid cancers with paratracheal node,2 cases were resected by combined thoracotomy and cervical collar incision. The rate of complication after operation was 22.7%. There was no relapse among all patients through 1-5 years followed-up. Con-clusions CT and MRI can help to make correct operational program. Resection viacervical collar incision for all retrosternal thyroid nodules are advised for its safe and reliable. Key words: Substernal goite; Diagnosis; Operation