Hypopharyngeal cancer masquerading as a thyroid mass

Hypopharyngeal cancer (HPC) is generally a rare head and neck malignancy. There are differing clinical presentations depending on the subsite location of primary tumour. Advanced HPC will have neck node metastasis particularly upper jugulodigastric nodes. We report a patient with postcricoid tumour who presented with anterior huge neck swelling mimic thyroid mass. The patient first presented to the General Surgical Unit for management of presumed thyroid lesion. She was diagnosed post-cricoid squamous cell carcinoma when further assessed by otorhinolaryngologist.

Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis with Extensive Spinal and Thyroid Gland Involvement Presenting with Quadriparesis: An Unusual Case in an Adult Patient

Langerhans cell histiocytosis of the spine frequently presents as a solitary lesion and rarely results in neurological deficit. Involvement of thyroid tissue is also rare, even in multifocal disease presentations. We present an unusual variant of Langerhans cell histiocytosis in a 37-year-old man presenting with profound quadriparesis and incidental thyroid involvement. MR imaging and skeletal radiographs revealed widespread involvement of the spine. The patient underwent surgical resection of the tumour and stabilization of the spine. Diagnosis was confirmed by histological and immunohistochemistry analysis. Langerhans cell histiocytosis should be included in the differential diagnosis of radiolucent lesions of the spine in adults.

Percutaneous Cardiopulmonary Support for Tracheal Stenosis Caused by Thyroid Mass: A case report / 대한마취과학회지

A 76-year-old woman presented with tracheal stenosis caused by a thyroid mass. Her symptoms included dyspnea and wheezing. Cervical computed tomography scans revealed an 8.5 x 7.8 cm sized mass and a trachea with an internal lumen 4.3 mm in diameter. The mass caused marked stenosis and deviation of the airway. However, it was not clear if the tracheal lumen was invaded by the mass. We predicted that airway management would be problematic, even in the absence of invasion. Options for intubation included small sized endotracheal tube, fiberoptic bronchoscopy-guided intubation, high frequency jet ventilation, and percutaneous cardiopulmonary support (PCPS). We decided to use PCPS to reduce the chance of ineffective oxygenation and related complications. After supplementing PCPS with epidural anesthesia, general anesthesia was performed without complications. The patient underwent surgical removal of the mass. PCPS was discontinued on the day of surgery, and after two weeks of uncomplicated mechanical ventilatory support, the patient was discharged home.