Blunt injury to the thyroid gland: proposed classification and treatment algorithm

BACKGROUND: Traumatic hemorrhage of the thyroid gland is a rare injury with few published case reports. Surgical and nonsurgical management have been advocated but there is no consensus of opinion. METHODS: This study is a retrospective review of published case reports including two own cases. A classification and an algorithm for diagnosis and treatment of thyroid gland injuries is proposed. RESULTS: A literature review reveals 16 case reports. Of these, 11 patients underwent neck exploration for control of hemorrhage and resection of the associated thyroid abnormality while 5 patients were conservatively managed. Of note is the fact that 10 of the 16 patients (63%) had pre-existing thyroid disease. These 10 patients constituted (91%) of the group requiring surgical treatment. CONCLUSION: Our proposed classification and algorithm offers management guidelines for this rather rare injury. Conservative treatment may be successful in selected patients with lower grade injuries and without concomitant thyroid disease.