MANAGEMENT OF PATIENTS WITH SUBSTERNAL GOITERS

Substernal goiters, particularly when asymptomatic, frequently are neg lected. This article discusses the incidence, pathogenesis, types, his tology (and rate of malignancy), symptomatology, physical findings, di agnostic procedures, and medical and surgical management of substernal goiters, as well as the outcome of substernal goiter therapy. Life-th reatening respiratory distress should be avoided with prophylactic or therapeutic early surgical intervention, for, in experienced hands, mo rbidity rate is low, complications unusual, and overall prognosis exce llent.