Brachial plexus neuropathy resulting from a massively enlarged papillary thyroid carcinoma.
Well-known complications of thyroid enlargement and papillary carcinoma include compression or invasion of the trachea, esophagus, and/or vascular structures. Recurrent laryngeal nerve invasion by thyroid carcinoma is not uncommon, and phrenic nerve invasion has also been described. Preoperative dysfunction of a vocal cord, which often implies invasive carcinoma, may necessitate recurrent laryngeal nerve sacrifice and is therefore rreversible. We present an unusual case of reversible brachial plexus compression in a patient with massive thyroid enlargement and papillary carcinoma.
Lipana
Jonathan D
JD
Department of Otolaryngology, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, New York 10029, USA. jonathan.lipana@mssm.edu
Teng
Marita S
MS
D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D020516:Brachial Plexus Neuropathies / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D002291:Carcinoma, Papillary / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D004576:Electromyography; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D018737:Hand Strength; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018908:Muscle Weakness / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness / Q000473:pathology*; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D020127:Recovery of Function; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D013965:Thyroidectomy / Q000379:methods; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome