European Journal of Case Reports in Internal Medicine (Oct 2014)

Severe Acute Dyspnoea of Extra-Thoracic Origin: Experience with Three Primary Thyroid Lymphomas (PTL)

  • Adrienne Grueber,
  • Sophie Zürcher,
  • Daniel Charles Betticher,
  • Enzo Fontana

DOI
https://doi.org/10.12890/2014_000136
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 1, no. 1

Abstract

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Objectives: To recall the common clinical presenting features of and guide the diagnostic procedures of primary thyroid lymphomas (PTL). Materials and methods: We report on three patients developing an acute dyspnoea and fast evolving neck mass in the thyroid caused by a PTL occurring in our regional hospital in Switzerland between 2009 and 2013. Results: PTL causes a neck mass, dyspnoea and dysphonia and responds well to chemotherapy. Mortality is due to relapse or infectious complications. Conclusion: Acute dyspnoea caused by thyroid disease is uncommon. Nevertheless, it is the main symptom in PTL due to rapid growth and compression of the airways. Chemotherapy should be started promptly.

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