Massive Chest Tumour Compressing Heart, Lungs Removed in 7-Hour High-Risk Surgery at KIMS Kondapur

Kondapur: A rare and complex case involving a massive retrosternal goiter compressing the heart, lungs, and major blood vessels was successfully treated by doctors at KIMS Hospital, Kondapur, through a high-risk surgery that lasted over seven hours.

The 35-year-old patient had initially visited a local hospital with moderate chest pain and occasional difficulty in breathing. Imaging revealed a large mass occupying a major portion of the right upper chest cavity.

A biopsy indicated the mass resembled thyroid tissue, prompting her referral to KIMS-Kondapur for further evaluation and management.

At KIMS, doctors found that the thyroid swelling had extended from the neck deep into the chest cavity, compressing vital organs. Clinical signs, including swelling of the right arm and visible veins on the chest, pointed to Superior Vena Cava (SVC) Syndrome, a potentially life-threatening condition due to venous obstruction.

Following a multidisciplinary team discussion, the patient and her family were counselled about the complexity and high risk of the surgery. The surgical approach included a sternotomy (vertical splitting of the breastbone) combined with a right anterior thoracotomy, which involved lifting the chest wall to gain access to the tumour.

The tumour, over 15 cm in size, was compressing the upper right lung, heart, and right brachiocephalic vein. The team was able to remove the entire mass, relieving pressure on the surrounding structures and restoring normal blood flow.

"A massive retrosternal goiter is a rare and dangerous condition, often going unnoticed until it causes serious symptoms," said Dr. Rohan Reddy C., Consultant Thoracic Surgeon, who led the procedure. "Complete excision is the definitive treatment, and we’re proud that our team had both the expertise and infrastructure to carry out such a challenging operation successfully."

The patient recovered well after surgery and was discharged within a week with supportive care and monitoring.

The team involved in the procedure included Dr. Rohan Reddy C. (Thoracic Surgeon), Dr. Ramya Vailveru (Endocrine Surgeon), Dr. Nisarga and Dr. Vineet (Cardiac Surgeons), Dr. Venkatesh Bollineni (Vascular Surgeon), and the anesthesia team.

KIMS Hospitals stated that the case underlines the importance of early diagnosis and expert multidisciplinary care in managing rare but serious conditions like retrosternal goiters.