[Symptomatic struma intratrachealis, a differential diagnostic challenge].
The intratracheal goiter is a rare, benign disease accompanied by dyspnoea, stridor, and cough. The specific symptom within the non-specific symptoms is the rapid therapy-resistant progression that can be fatal if it is unrecognized and not treated. Observation of an intratracheal tumor leads to a series of further differential diagnostic considerations with the most important question--malignant or benign--which needs to be clarified. The type of tissue can be determined by means of a biopsy. Classification of the grade of the tissue is not possible in every case and always depends on the method used. This is especially true in the case of highly differentiated tumors as they appear on the thyroid. We introduce a 67-year-old female patient whose case history and results can be described as classic in comparison to the literature and who showed all the clinical and morphological characteristics of intratracheal goiter. We refer to the two most possible theories concerning the etiology. Extirpation of the tumor with or without a temporary tracheostomy is the suitable therapy for adults to achieve functionally indisputable results without recurrence. Knowledge about these rare intratracheal tumors can help avoid a generous resection with high risks or even foreseeable consequences.
Ettrich
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Klinik für Thorax- und Gefässchirurgie, Städtisches Klinikum St. Georg, Leipzig.
Skuballa
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A
D000368:Aged; D001706:Biopsy; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006042:Goiter / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D013961:Thyroid Gland / Q000473:pathology; D013965:Thyroidectomy; D014132:Trachea / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D014133:Tracheal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D014135:Tracheal Stenosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*