Document Detail


Anaplastic thyroid cancer manifesting as new-onset Horner syndrome.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  19491063     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
OBJECTIVE: To report a case of Horner syndrome as the initial sign of locally advanced anaplastic thyroid cancer. METHODS: We present a case report in conjunction with a retrospective review and evaluation of the English-language literature on Horner syndrome and thyroid pathologic conditions. RESULTS: Horner syndrome is a rare complication of thyroid disease most often occurring in the postoperative setting after resections. Preoperatively, Horner syndrome is usually caused by a benign intrathoracic goiter that compresses the sympathetic plexus as it exits the thoracic cavity to enter the neck. Malignant thyroid disease leading to Horner syndrome is less common than benign causes of the syndrome. Treatment of compressive lesions can lead to resolution of nerve compression. CONCLUSION: Horner syndrome is a rare complication of thyroid pathologic conditions. When present preoperatively, the majority of cases are due to benign compression of the cervical plexus. Therefore, Horner syndrome in the setting of a goiter does not necessarily portend a malignant process as one might suspect. Nonetheless, it still remains important that those patients who present with Horner syndrome undergo appropriate assessment for detection of mass lesions, underlying vascular etiologic factors, or other potentially treatable disorders causing sympathetic chain dysfunction.
Authors:
James T Broome; Paul G Gauger; Barbra S Miller; Gerard M Doherty
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Publication Detail:
Type:  Case Reports; Journal Article; Review    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Endocrine practice : official journal of the American College of Endocrinology and the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists     Volume:  15     ISSN:  1934-2403     ISO Abbreviation:  Endocr Pract     Publication Date:    2009 Sep-Oct
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2009-10-27     Completed Date:  2010-01-28     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  9607439     Medline TA:  Endocr Pract     Country:  United States    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  563-6     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Department of Surgery, Section of General Surgery, Division of Endocrine Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA. james.broome@vanderbilt.edu
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Aged
Carcinoma / complications,  diagnosis*,  surgery,  therapy
Cervical Plexus
Chemotherapy, Adjuvant
Diagnosis, Differential
Female
Horner Syndrome / diagnosis*,  etiology
Humans
Nerve Compression Syndromes / diagnosis*,  etiology
Radiotherapy, Adjuvant
Thyroid Neoplasms / complications,  diagnosis*,  surgery,  therapy
Thyroidectomy

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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