Primary thyroid hemangioma, a rare diagnosis in a patient with a painless neck mass

Abstract

The aim of this case report is to demonstrate a case of primary thyroid hemangioma in a 62-year-old female who presented with a painless neck mass, treated with right hemithyroidectomy and diagnosed by surgical biopsy. Thyroid hemangiomas are rare, benign lesions which present a diagnostic challenge given the lack of specific imaging findings and clinical manifestations associated with them. However, accurate recognition of these lesions is important and can facilitate conservative, rather than surgical, management strategies. In this report, we discuss a case in a patient whose laboratory assessment raised concern for a thyroid paraganglioma, leading to surgical resection of what was ultimately a benign thyroid hemangioma. We also review the pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, differential diagnostic considerations, and imaging characteristics of thyroid hemangiomas across multiple modalities and discuss strategies for accurately diagnosing these lesions.

Keywords

• Head and neck radiology
• Neuroradiology
• Thyroid mass
• Primary thyroid hemangioma
• Hemangioma
• PET/CT