[Intrathoracic goiters. 62 surgically treated patients].
OBJECTIVE
Intrathoracic goitres present as tumors of the upper mediastinum. Malignancy is uncommon, but sudden or progressive development often leads to compression of the trachea. We report here our experience with surgical exeresis.


METHODS
From 1980 to 1995, we operated 62 patients with intrathoracic goitre. There were 23 men and 39 women (mean age 63 years). The main manifestations leading to diagnosis were dyspnea (n = 20; 32%) and identification of a mediastinal formation on routine chest x-rays (n = 19; 30%).


RESULTS
Antevascular goitre was seen in 24 patients (39%) and retrovascular goitre in 38 (61%). The retrovascular goitres were located anteriorly and laterally to the trachea in 21 patients (34%) and posteriorly in 17 (27%). Simple cervicotomy was used in 57 patients (92%). Manubriotomy (n = 1) and total sternotomy (n = 4) were also required. All intrathoracic goitres removed were benign. Post-operative mortality was nul and morbidity was 11%: 2 cases of hypocalcemia and 2 tracheomalacias including 1 with recurrent nerve palsy and one with hematoma and pulmonary infection.


CONCLUSIONS
Surgical exeresis of intrathoracic goitre is essentially required in case of respiratory distress due to compression of the trachea. Morbidity is low with simple cervicotomy.
Fadel
E
E
Départment de Chirurgie thoracique, vasculaire et de Transplantation cardiopulmonaire, Hôpital Marie-Lannelongue, Le Plessis-Robinson.
Chapelier
A
A
Lancelin
C
C
Macchiarini
P
P
Dartevelle
P
P
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004417:Dyspnea / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006045:Goiter, Substernal / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic
Les goitres endothoraciques. 62 malades opérés.