title: A rare case of spontaneous thyroid cyst haemorrhage.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We report a case of hypopharyngeal swelling secondary to a spontaneous thyroid cyst haemorrhage. Haemorrhage is a known complication of thyroid cysts, and usually presents as external swelling and localised pain.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 93-year-old woman developed hypopharyngeal swelling, dysphagia and odynophagia. A computed tomography scan was consistent with thyroid cyst haemorrhage. The patient was treated with needle aspiration and intravenous steroid injections, with full recovery at thyroid clinic review.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  To our best knowledge, there has been no previous report of a hypopharyngeal swelling occurring secondary to spontaneous thyroid cyst haemorrhage. Our case is unusual because of the risk of airway compromise at the level of the hypopharynx, secondary to thyroid cyst haemorrhage.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ear, Nose and Throat, Castle Hill Hospital, Cottingham, UK. chancheeching@gmail.com
authors.forename: C C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Awobem
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Binns
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Jassar
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000517:prevention & control; D003560:Cysts / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007013:Hypopharynx / Q000473:pathology; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology; D013959:Thyroid Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D006854:Hydrocortisone