Bilateral Displacement of the Common Carotid Arteries by a Large Goiter.

Cureus. 2018 Sep 13;10(9):e3298. doi: 10.7759/cureus.3298.

McBain LJ, Iwanaga J, Oskouian RJ, Loukas M, Tubbs RS.

Abstract

Large goiters are less common in the developing world due to the use of iodized salt. However, these are seen occasionally. Herein, we report a case of very large goiter identified in a cadaver. This case is also of interest due to the significant lateral displacement of the common carotid arteries (CCA) and the midline shift of the trachea. This case and the salient literature addressing this topic have been discussed.

KEYWORDS:

anatomy; cadaver; common carotid artery; goiter; thyroid gland

Figure 1

Anterior view of the case reported herein.

Note the massively enlarged thyroid gland. Also observe the deviated left and right common carotid arteries and that the trachea is shifted to the left side of the specimen.