Opportunities and challenges of radiofrequency ablation for substernal goiter: a case report

Substernal goiter (SG) refers to an enlargement of the thyroid gland that extends below the sternal notch or clavicle. While most cases are benign, a few may be malignant. Surgical resection is the standard treatment for SGs that cause clinical symptoms. This case report presents a 60-year-old femal...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inFrontiers in oncology Vol. 15
Main Authors Han, Zhiming, Feng, Lei, Wang, Nan
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Frontiers Media S.A 13.08.2025
Subjects
efficacy
intervention
Oncology
radiofrequency ablation
substernal goiter
vascular dysplasia
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Summary:Substernal goiter (SG) refers to an enlargement of the thyroid gland that extends below the sternal notch or clavicle. While most cases are benign, a few may be malignant. Surgical resection is the standard treatment for SGs that cause clinical symptoms. This case report presents a 60-year-old female SG patient with a history of thyroidectomy and congenital vascular anomalies, who developed symptoms including significant airway compression and difficulty swallowing liquids. Following a detailed imaging and pathological evaluation, ultrasound-guided radiofrequency ablation was performed at the patient’s request. The procedure was successful and led to a favorable clinical outcome. This case highlights a potential alternative treatment approach for patients with SG, particularly those for whom surgery may pose additional risks.
Bibliography:Grace Soon Kim, Stanford University, United States
Reviewed by: Hailin Tang, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center (SYSUCC), China
Edited by: Domenico Albano, University of Brescia, Italy
Yasser Abdurabo Obadiel, Sana’a University, Yemen
ISSN:2234-943X
2234-943X
DOI:10.3389/fonc.2025.1651824