Clinical images. Thyroid follicular carcinoma presenting as intraorbital, intracranial, and subcutaneous metastasis

Am J Surg. 2010 Jun;199(6):e72-4. doi: 10.1016/j.amjsurg.2009.07.048. Epub 2010 Apr 21.

Abstract

Follicular carcinoma of the thyroid usually metastasizes through a hematogenous route to the bone, lung, and central nervous system. Metastasis to subcutaneous tissues and retro-orbital region is unusual. We report an unusual case of follicular thyroid carcinoma with metastasis to subcutaneous tissues in the right temporal region with invasion of bone and intraorbital and intracranial tissues that was diagnosed by a computed tomography scan and biopsy. The patient was managed by total thyroidectomy followed by radiotherapy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma, Follicular / diagnostic imaging
  • Adenocarcinoma, Follicular / secondary*
  • Adenocarcinoma, Follicular / therapy
  • Biopsy, Fine-Needle
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Exophthalmos / diagnostic imaging
  • Exophthalmos / etiology
  • Exophthalmos / therapy
  • Female
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms / secondary*
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms / therapy
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Orbital Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging
  • Orbital Neoplasms / secondary*
  • Orbital Neoplasms / therapy
  • Thyroid Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Thyroid Neoplasms / therapy
  • Thyroidectomy
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed