Publication:

Primary intrathoracic goiter: a rare mediastinal tumor

Background Substernal goiters are usually classified as secondary or primary intrathoracic goiters. Primary ones result from an abnormal embryologic migration of the thyroid and represents less than 1% of all goiters. Secondary substernal goiters develop from the descent of the thyroid into the mediastinum and represents 98-99% of goiters.

Methods This was a retrospective study which discuss the symptoms, the diagnosis and the treatment of 7 primary intrathoracic goiters.

Results Goiter was located in the anterior mediastinum in 5 cases, in the posterior mediastinum in 1 case and in the medium mediastinum in 1 case. The mass was located on the right in 5 cases cervical approach was performed in 3 cases. Two patients required a transthoracic approach, 1 required sternotomy and in 1 case video-thoracic surgery was sufficient. Only one patient had postoperative complication which was secondary pneumothorax. All tumors were benign.

Conclusions Mediastinal ectopic goitre is rare. However it should be discussed among the different etiologies of mediastinal masses.