[Acute airway obstruction mimicking angioedema and revealing spontaneous compressive haematoma of thyroid goitre]

Rev Med Interne. 2010 Dec;31(12):e7-9. doi: 10.1016/j.revmed.2009.11.018.
[Article in French]

Abstract

Substernal thyroid goitre is the most common cause of superior mediastinal masses. Respiratory symptoms are commonly present, in up to 90% of reported cases. However, these symptoms are rarely acute and life threatening. We report a case of acute airway obstruction, initially misdiagnosed as angioedema, revealing a spontaneous compressive substernal goitre haematoma, in a patient under anticoagulant. This life-threatening complication in patients with goitre and anticoagulant should be known.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Airway Obstruction / etiology*
  • Airway Obstruction / surgery
  • Angioedema / diagnosis
  • Anticoagulants / therapeutic use
  • Atrial Fibrillation / complications
  • Atrial Fibrillation / drug therapy
  • Atrial Fibrillation / etiology
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Emergencies
  • Goiter, Substernal / complications*
  • Goiter, Substernal / diagnosis*
  • Goiter, Substernal / surgery
  • Hematoma / complications*
  • Hematoma / diagnosis*
  • Hematoma / etiology
  • Hematoma / surgery
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Mitral Valve Stenosis / complications
  • Mitral Valve Stenosis / drug therapy
  • Risk Factors
  • Thyroidectomy / methods
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Anticoagulants