Journal of Korean Thyroid Association  2014;7(1):88-91

doi:10.11106/jkta.2014.7.1.88

Carcinoma Showing Thymus-like Differentiation (CASTLE) with Non-Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve: A Case Report.

Hyo Geun CHOI 1 ; Chul Sik KIM ; Soo Kee MIN ; Bumjung PARK

Affiliations

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Keywords

Carcinoma; Carcinoma showing thymus-like element (CASTLE); Thyroid; Thymus; Laryngeal nerve

Country

Republic of Korea

Language

English

Abstract

Carcinoma showing thymus-like element (CASTLE) is a very rare malignant neoplasm in the lower portion of the thyroid gland or soft tissue of the neck. Recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) is the most frequent site of CASTLE. Non-RLN is also a rare anomaly. Both CASTLE and non-RLN are risk factors for vocal cord paralysis. In this report, the authors describe a 73-year-old patients diagnosed with CASTLE and non-RLN. During total thyroidectomy, one RLN was sacrificed inevitably because of tumor invasion, while the other non-RLN was successfully saved, which was expected based on preoperative computed tomography (CT). If the diagnosis is uncertain, CT should be checked to prevent unexpected risks.