Journal List > Korean J Endocr Surg > v.14(4) > 1060129

Cho and Kang: Subcutaneous Soft Tissue Implantation of Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma after Endoscopic Thyroidectomy

Abstract

Endoscopic thyroidectomy with bilateral axillobreast approach (BABA) is a feasible method of thyroidectomy with good surgical outcome and excellent cosmetic result as compared with conventional open thyroidectomy in selective patients. Thus, endoscopic thyroidectomy is widely used in treatment of thyroid diseases. However, despite the many advantages, we sometimes encounter unexpected complication, such as neck stiffness caused by adhesion, change of sensory, seroma formation, and subcutaneous soft tissue implantation. Subcutaneous soft tissue implantation of thyroid tissue is a very rare complication of thyroid surgery. However, it is troublesome to both patient and doctor. We experienced a case of papillary thyroid carcinoma recurrence at anterior and anterolateral subcutaneous area after endoscopic total thyroidectomy. Our case presented with a papillary thyroid carcinoma measuring 2.1 cm in size and showed thyroidal capsule invasion and extrathyroidal extension on the permanent pathologic report. Therefore, we suggest that appropriate indications should be applied for an endoscopic thyroidectomy and efforts should be made to decrease tumor cell spillage in order to prevent tumor rupture, and for careful handling and protection of the extraction site.

References

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Fig. 1.
Neck ultrasonography and neck computed tomography show a 17×12×13 mm sized ovalshaped, well demarcated solid nodule in the right upper portion of thyroid.
kjes-14-235f1.tif
Fig. 2.
The neck ultrasonography shows two nodules in the medial border of right sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscle, 6 mm sized in the anterior midline and with superior location of another nodule, about 5 mm sized (A, B, D). The PET-CT shows a mildly hypermetabolic nodule at the medial border of right SCM muscle (C).
kjes-14-235f2.tif
Fig. 3.
The PETCT shows three newly formed mildly hypermetabolic lesions in the subcutaneous layer of medial and left sided neck and the skin (A ∼C, G). The same suspicious lesion was noted on the neck USG (D∼F).
kjes-14-235f3.tif
Fig. 4.
Changes of serum TG according to recurrence and operation. Serum TG was stable after the third operation.
kjes-14-235f4.tif
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