ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Rupture of a normal thyroid gland after blunt cervical trauma is a rare case of airway compression. This case report describes the case of a 79-year-old woman who developed severe respiratory distress after a bicycle crash. CASE REPORT: Presenting about 2 h after the crash, the patient noted cervical swelling and increasing dyspnea. The diagnosis of thyroid gland rupture was made with a combination of computed tomography scan, cervical radiography, and bronchoscopy. Invasive airway management was required in the first few hours after the crash. The patient underwent a left hemithyroidectomy, and recovered without complications. CONCLUSION: This case report highlights the fact that thyroid gland rupture can be a threatening complication of blunt cervical trauma.
