Die struma gigantea pendulans. Ein fallbericht

A 48-year-old woman with a monstrous goiter was referred to our hospital. She noticed a growth of the goiter for about 20 years, until now she did not untergo surgery because she was afraid of the operation. In September 1999 she suffered from a cardiac decompensation because of a hyperthyreosis, so she decided to be operated. The examination showed a giant goiter, placed in front of the sternum. After a detailed check of risk factors, we resected the goiter in general anaesthesia. The thyroid gland weighted 5 100 grammes, in the histologic examination no signs of malignancy were found. Postoperatively, a hypocalcaemia occurred, without clinical symptoms. The patient was discharged on the 6th postoperative day.