Primary amyloid goiter mimicking rapid growing thyroid malignancy

Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2014 Feb;271(2):417-20. doi: 10.1007/s00405-013-2777-5. Epub 2013 Oct 23.

Abstract

Amyloid accumulation in the thyroid gland leading to a clinically detectable mass, known as amyloid goiter, is a rare condition associated with primary amyloidosis. Moreover, a localized primary amyloid goiter involving only the thyroid gland is rarer still. Here, we report a patient with a localized primary amyloid goiter that had grown rapidly, causing dysphagia and dyspnea on exercise, and confused us with malignancy such as anaplastic carcinoma. After surgery, no further symptoms occurred. A diagnosis of amyloid goiter was established on microscopic examination. In patients with a rapidly enlarging thyroid gland presenting with dysphagia, dyspnea, or hoarseness, amyloid goiter and malignancy should both be suspected, even when systemic amyloidosis is not suspected.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Amyloidosis / complications
  • Amyloidosis / diagnosis*
  • Amyloidosis / pathology
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Goiter / diagnosis*
  • Goiter / etiology
  • Goiter / pathology
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin Light-chain Amyloidosis
  • Laryngoscopy
  • Male
  • Thyroid Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Thyroidectomy
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed