Abstract

Retrosternal goiter is the existence of larger than 50% of the thyroid mass at mediastinum, under the sternal notch. Materials and Methods: İn this study clinical features, radiological features and treatment results of 15 patients with retrosternal thyroid between 2006 and 2008 were analyzed retrospectively. Results: The average age of the patients is 48.2 (28-67). Tvvelve (80%) patients were symptomatic at presentation, with choking, dyspnea and dysphagia. Three (%20) patients had Pemberton signs. At the radiological evaluation six (40%) patients had com-pression at the surrounding tissue. A classical cervical approach was used and five (%33) patients required sternotomy and two (%13.3) patients required thoracotomy. Three (20%) patients undement neck dissection. Average thyroid size was found to be 9.1 cm (7.6-10) and nodule size was found to be 6.4 (3.1-9) cm at the sternotomy group. İn only one of our patients preoperative fine-needle aspiration biopsy was diagnosed with a malignancy, yet in 9 patients malignancies were identified after the surgery. Conclusion: İn patients with retrosternal thyroid, surgery must be planned in order to prevent the increase in the frequency of malignancy and to avoid compression symptoms. Surgical procedures like sternotomy and thoracotomy are additional surgical procedures in appropriate cases without any increase in morbidity and they can be added safely to thyroidectomy.