Brachial plexus neuropathy resulting from a massively enlarged papillary thyroid carcinoma.

Abstract

Well-known complications of thyroid enlargement and papillary carcinoma include compression or invasion of the trachea, esophagus, and/or vascular structures. Recurrent laryngeal nerve invasion by thyroid carcinoma is not uncommon, and phrenic nerve invasion has also been described. Preoperative dysfunction of a vocal cord, which often implies invasive carcinoma, may necessitate recurrent laryngeal nerve sacrifice and is therefore rreversible. We present an unusual case of reversible brachial plexus compression in a patient with massive thyroid enlargement and papillary carcinoma.