A Very Rare Cause of Subglottic Stenosis: Non-Malignant Intratracheal Thyroid Tissue

Abstract

We present a case of subglottic stenosis associated with benign thyroid tissue involvement due to relapse of multinodular goiter despite surgery 14 years ago. The patient had undergone bilateral subtotal thyroidectomy 14 years ago and the pathology report had been multinodular thyroid tissue at the time. The patient recently presented to an emergency service due to sudden development of respiratory distress and was then directed to our center. Cervical tomography showed bilateral thyroid tissue that narrowed the tracheal diameter by 80% by invading the trachea from the left wall at the level of the thyroid gland. The patient required urgent tracheostomy due to serious respiratory trouble. The trachea was incised vertically about 2.5 cm below the cricoid cartilage. A 2 cm endotracheal lesion with margins that could not be distinguished from the left vocal cord was observed and biopsies were taken from both this lesion and the tissue surrounding the trachea. A Montgomery T-tube extending from the subglottic area to the distal section was placed. Pathology evaluation revealed histopathological findings that matched normal thyroid tissue. Although infrequent, tracheal invasion associated with a thyroid cancer is known to occur. We present a case with postoperative intratracheal relapse due to a benign cause and the emergency treatment.