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A rare case of spontaneous thyroid cyst haemorrhage

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 July 2012

C C Chan*
Affiliation:
Department of Ear, Nose and Throat, Castle Hill Hospital, Cottingham, UK
A Awobem
Affiliation:
Department of Ear, Nose and Throat, Castle Hill Hospital, Cottingham, UK
C Binns
Affiliation:
Department of Radiology, Castle Hill Hospital, Cottingham, UK
P Jassar
Affiliation:
Department of Ear, Nose and Throat, Castle Hill Hospital, Cottingham, UK
*
Address for correspondence: Mr Chee Ching Chan, 4 Nash House, Canary Central, Cassilis Street, London E14 9LP, UK Fax: +44 (0)1482 624 816, E-mail: chancheeching@gmail.com

Abstract

Background:

We report a case of hypopharyngeal swelling secondary to a spontaneous thyroid cyst haemorrhage. Haemorrhage is a known complication of thyroid cysts, and usually presents as external swelling and localised pain.

Case report:

A 93-year-old woman developed hypopharyngeal swelling, dysphagia and odynophagia. A computed tomography scan was consistent with thyroid cyst haemorrhage. The patient was treated with needle aspiration and intravenous steroid injections, with full recovery at thyroid clinic review.

Conclusion:

To our best knowledge, there has been no previous report of a hypopharyngeal swelling occurring secondary to spontaneous thyroid cyst haemorrhage. Our case is unusual because of the risk of airway compromise at the level of the hypopharynx, secondary to thyroid cyst haemorrhage.

Type
Clinical Records
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2012

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References

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