title: Progressive respiratory distress due to neck mass.
abstract: The present report describes the case of an 80-year-old woman who presented at the emergency department with progressive respiratory distress caused by a massive anterior neck mass with tracheal deviation and compression. A CT scan showed diffuse enlargement of the thyroid gland. The patient underwent a left-sided hemithyroidectomy. Pathology unexpectedly revealed a primary thyroid lymphoma. Treatment with prednisone and vincristine was initiated to reduce tumour size and preserve the airway, resulting in rapid volume reduction and airway expansion. Primary thyroid lymphoma is a rare entity that requires adequate diagnosis and rapid initiation of treatment to reduce tumour volume and to prevent airway compromise.
authors.affiliation: Gelderse Vallei Hospital, Surgery, Willy Brandtlaan 10, Ede, 6710HN, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Raquel F D
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: van la Parra
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kroeze
authors.forename: Jos
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: van Die
authors.forename: Dries
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mulder
authors.forename: Arthur
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: van Zanten
authors.forename: David H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Tjan