Fascial Anatomy of the Thyroid Region: A Retropharyngeal Goiter Without Extension Into the Retropharyngeal Space

TL;DR

A case study shows that a non-invasive thyroid goiter does not extend into the retropharyngeal space, suggesting a fascial barrier.

Contribution

Provides photographic evidence that non-invasive retropharyngeal goiters remain confined to the visceral space.

Findings

Intraoperative photos show no extension of the goiter into the retropharyngeal space.

The middle layer of the deep cervical fascia acts as a barrier to goiter extension.

Abstract

Intraoperative photographs in a patient with papillary thyroid carcinoma demonstrated that the non‐invasive retropharyngeal goiter did not extend into the retropharyngeal space.

This case provides intraoperative photographic evidence that a non‐invasive retropharyngeal goiter remains within the visceral space without extending into the retropharyngeal space, indicating that the middle layer of the deep cervical fascia functions as a barrier to such extension.

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