Thyroid hemangioma

Abstract

A case is presented of a fifty-six year old man with a thyroid hemangioma presenting as a neck mass with tracheal deviation and unilateral vocal cord paralysis. A standard thyroid scan yielded equivocal findings. The diagnosis was determined preoperatively by the use of a 99m-technetium angiogram that disclosed the vascular nature of the lesion. Subsequent arteriography demonstrated the main arterial supply of the mass to be from both inferior thyroid arteries. Operative removal of the mass was accomplished through a standard transverse cervical incision. Pathologic study revealed that the vascular tumor involved both the surrounding normal thyroid parenchyma and also a microfollicular adenoma. This case points out the value of utilizing all available diagnostic means in atypical cases of thyroid disease.