Goitre causing acute respiratory arrest.

A patient reported symptoms of upper airway obstruction for 4 years. His symptoms worsened with a viral upper respiratory infection and he suffered acute respiratory arrest. He was resuscitated and a large goitre with intrathoracic extension which was compressing the trachea was resected. The mechanisms of upper airway compromise by goitre are discussed. The symptoms of the effect of goitre on the airway are reviewed.