Published in:
Open Access
01-12-2010 | Case Report
Delayed intrathyroidal hematoma causing respiratory distress after a seemingly benign fall: a case report
Authors:
Lucas B. Chartier, Joel P. Turner
Published in:
International Journal of Emergency Medicine
|
Issue 4/2010
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Abstract
A rare event of a fall causing delayed intrathyroidal hematoma and respiratory distress is reported here. A 75-year-old woman with symptoms of vertigo causing syncope and fall 24 h earlier was seen and discharged from our emergency department after an unremarkable physical exam and 6-h observation period. Within 3 h of discharge, the patient was transported back by Emergency Medical Services with an enlarging neck mass and subjective respiratory distress. CT scan demonstrated a large, expanding hematoma, and the patient underwent an emergency hemithyroidectomy. Hürtle cell adenoma was found on pathologic specimen examination. A review of the literature of similar cases is presented, emphasizing the notion that concurrent thyroid pathology is a risk factor for airway compromise after seemingly benign trauma and that airway compromise can present in a delayed fashion.