title: An unusual presentation of a calcified thyroid gland.
abstract: A multinodular goitre with cystic degeneration with haemorrhage and subsequent calcification is a common occurrence in long-standing multinodular goitres. But extensive enlargement and calcification causing obstructive symptoms including dysphagia and tracheal shift has not been commonly reported in the literature. Our patient, an 82-year-old man presented with long-standing dysphagia and tracheal shift. His case proved challenging with the retrosternal location of the calcified gland, needing a collar neck incision and a manubriotomy to assess the thyroid. There was a large calcified shell to the gland that made mobilising and removing the gland very difficult. Histology revealed a large multinodular goitre with a large calcified cyst representing previous cyst haemorrhage which underwent calcification. Symptoms resolved postsurgical intervention.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University College Hospital Galway, Galway, Ireland. rebeccalyons1@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Rebecca
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lyons
authors.forename: Peadar S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Waters
authors.forename: Conor
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sugrue
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Kerin
mesh_terms: D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013959:Thyroid Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*