Papillary carcinoma left lobe of thyroid with left vocal cord palsy
This case is being described here to highlight one of the complications of papillary carcinoma thyroid i.e. tracheomalacia.
30 years old male patient came with:
Swelling left side of neck - 5 years duration, not associated with pain / tenderness
Change in voice - 2 months duration
Clinical photograph of patient showing left thyroid mass
CT scan neck showed:
1. Mass involving the left lobe of thyroid gland with thinning of tracheal cartilages (T1- T3)
2. A possible extension of the mass in to the left tracheo oesophageal groove could also be noted
CT scan axial neck showing mass left lobe of thyroid with possible erosion of thyroid lamina on the left side
CT scan axial neck at the level of vocal cord showing the left cord to be abnormal in shape and position
Video laryngoscopy showed left vocal cord paralysis
FNAC: was reported as papillary carcinoma of thyroid
Treatment: Total thyroidectomy was done.
Patient developed noisy breathing in the post operative period. Laryngoscopy showed the right cord to be moving normally.
The patient developed tracheomalacia in the post operative period. Trachoestomy was done to alleviate the symptoms.
