Primary thyroid hemangioma, a rare diagnosis in a patient with a painless neck mass

Joey Seuferling; Alex Diaz; Neal Futran; Anshu Bandhlish; Pattana Wangaryattawanich

doi:10.1016/j.radcr.2022.10.093

Primary thyroid hemangioma, a rare diagnosis in a patient with a painless neck mass

Radiol Case Rep. 2022 Nov 24;18(2):519-523. doi: 10.1016/j.radcr.2022.10.093. eCollection 2023 Feb.

Authors

Joey Seuferling¹, Alex Diaz¹, Neal Futran¹, Anshu Bandhlish¹, Pattana Wangaryattawanich¹

Affiliation

¹ University of Washington, Main Hospital, 1959 NE Pacific St 2nd Floor, Seattle, WA 98195, USA.

Abstract

The aim of this case report is to demonstrate a case of primary thyroid hemangioma in a 62-year-old female who presented with a painless neck mass, treated with right hemithyroidectomy and diagnosed by surgical biopsy. Thyroid hemangiomas are rare, benign lesions which present a diagnostic challenge given the lack of specific imaging findings and clinical manifestations associated with them. However, accurate recognition of these lesions is important and can facilitate conservative, rather than surgical, management strategies. In this report, we discuss a case in a patient whose laboratory assessment raised concern for a thyroid paraganglioma, leading to surgical resection of what was ultimately a benign thyroid hemangioma. We also review the pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, differential diagnostic considerations, and imaging characteristics of thyroid hemangiomas across multiple modalities and discuss strategies for accurately diagnosing these lesions.

Keywords: Head and neck radiology; Hemangioma; Neuroradiology; PET/CT; Primary thyroid hemangioma; Thyroid mass; Thyroid ultrasound.

Publication types

Case Reports