title: Chylothorax associated with substernal goiter treated with transcervical thyroidectomy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Substernal goiters are frequently associated with compressive symptoms. Compression of the trachea and esophagus are common, whereas thoracic duct compression is a rare occurrence.
  
  
  METHODS
  We report a rare case of a 72-year-old woman with thoracic duct compression by a large substernal goiter that presented with shortness of breath. After undergoing thoracentesis multiple times, the patient was treated with thyroidectomy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Transcervical thyroidectomy was performed without sternotomy. This led to resolution of her symptoms. Confirmation of chylothorax resolution was obtained with postoperative computed tomography of the chest.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Chylothorax is a rare sequela of substernal goiters. It can be managed with thyroidectomy. Sternotomy was avoided in this case.
authors.affiliation: Division of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Utah Health Sciences Center, Salt Lake City, Utah 84132, USA. jason.hunt@hsc.utah.edu
authors.forename: Jason P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Hunt
authors.forename: Matthew
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.forename: Luke O
authors.initials: LO
authors.lastname: Buchmann
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002916:Chylothorax / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006045:Goiter, Substernal / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D010996:Pleural Effusion; D013897:Thoracic Duct / Q000502:physiology; D013961:Thyroid Gland / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D013965:Thyroidectomy / Q000379:methods*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods; D016896:Treatment Outcome