Tracheal Invasion and Cardiopulmonary Compromise From Primary Thyroid Lymphoma

Rapidly expanding thyroid lesions with tracheal invasion are typical characteristics of anaplastic and undifferentiated thyroid carcinomas, but primary thyroid lymphoma (PTL) must also be considered as a differential. Aggressive thyroid lesions can compromise the airway through compression and/or di...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Curēus (Palo Alto, CA) CA), 2021-11, Vol.13 (11), p.e19302
Main Authors: Fang, Sean, Gkiousias, Vasileios, Hu, Lisi, Kapoor, Karan
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Airway management
Biopsy
Cardiology
Cardiomyopathy
Cartilage
Case reports
Chemotherapy
Edema
Ejection fraction
Endocrinology/Diabetes/Metabolism
Extubation
Intubation
Lymphoma
Medical prognosis
Ostomy
Otolaryngology
Radiation therapy
Thyroid cancer
Thyroidectomy
Tomography
Tracheotomy
Ultrasonic imaging
Ventilators
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Summary:Rapidly expanding thyroid lesions with tracheal invasion are typical characteristics of anaplastic and undifferentiated thyroid carcinomas, but primary thyroid lymphoma (PTL) must also be considered as a differential. Aggressive thyroid lesions can compromise the airway through compression and/or direct invasion of the tracheal wall. We present a rare case of PTL in a 57-year-old female patient who presented with worsening orthopnoea and hoarseness, followed by shortness of breath, secondary to direct invasion and compression of the trachea resulting in pulmonary edema and cardiomyopathy, requiring intensive care input. In view of the extent of the disease and associated repercussions, the patient underwent total thyroidectomy and chemotherapy, as part of her therapeutic regime, with metabolic and cardiovascular remission achieved. Histological diagnosis confirmed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). PTL is a rare condition, with few cases reported in the literature. Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) used traditionally in the diagnosis of thyroid lesions is less informative in PTL and core needle and incisional biopsy techniques, coupled with CT, can provide diagnostic clarity. Due to the unusual nature of PTL, it can pose diagnostic and management difficulties. Further studies are required and a multi-professional tailored approach should be adopted for each patient until a therapeutic consensus can be reached.
ISSN:2168-8184
2168-8184
DOI:10.7759/cureus.19302