Supraglottic Upper Airway Obstruction as a Result of Fibrous Variant of Hashimoto Thyroiditis: A Case Report

Abstract

Upper airway symptoms combined with abnormal laryngoscopic findings usually suggest neoplastic, inflammatory, or allergic conditions of the larynx. In such cases, thyroid disease may not be included in the differential diagnosis and serious conditions may be overlooked. In this study, we present a case of a 59-year-old man who presented with difficulty in breathing due to supraglottic soft-tissue edema, which was a result of severe thyroid enlargement. Total thyroidectomy was performed and histology revealed a fibrous variant of Hashimoto thyroiditis. The patient was relieved of his symptoms following surgery and supraglottic edema receded. Thyroid disease should be included in the differential diagnosis of chronic supraglottic laryngeal edema.