Isolated Posterior Mediastinal Thyroid Nodule Simulating Esophageal Pathology: A Multi-Modality Diagnosis

Abstract

Posterior mediastinal goiter is not a common cause of dysphagia, and symptoms can simulate esophageal malignancy. This case report highlights two critical clinical aspects. First, the patient's symptoms of gradually worsening dysphagia to solids and liquids, odynophagia, and hoarseness of voice secondary to retrosternal thyroid nodule extension can simulate esophageal malignancy. Second, a barium swallow study can effectively rule out esophageal pathology even though more advanced studies, like High-resolution computed tomography (HRCT), are inconclusive. We present a unique case of isolated posterior mediastinal exophytic thyroid nodule simulating the symptoms of esophageal pathology.

Keywords: barium swallow; contrast enhanced ct thorax; hrct chest (high resolution computed tomography); multinodular goiter; posterior mediastinal mass.