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Case Reports
. 2016 Sep 28;11(4):434-437.
doi: 10.1016/j.radcr.2016.08.016. eCollection 2016 Dec.

Diffuse thyroid metastases and bilateral internal jugular vein tumor thrombus from renal cell cancer

Priyanka Jha  1 , Mallika Shekhar  1 , Jennifer Wan  1 , Carina Mari-Aparici  1
Affiliations
Case Reports

Diffuse thyroid metastases and bilateral internal jugular vein tumor thrombus from renal cell cancer

Priyanka Jha et al. Radiol Case Rep. .

Abstract

Renal cell cancer rarely metastasizes to the thyroid gland, and it has been reported to present as a solitary mass. We present a case of diffuse thyroid cancer metastases from renal cell cancer. Bilateral internal jugular vein tumor thrombi were also present. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first description of diffuse thyroid metastases from renal cell cancer in the English literature. Renal cell cancer metastases should be considered in the differential of thyroid imaging abnormalities arising in the setting of known renal cell carcinoma, particularly late in the course of disease. This is frequently associated with internal jugular vein thrombi, which should be evaluated with an abnormal thyroid. Thyroglobulin levels are usually normal in such patients.

Keywords: Diffuse thyroid metastases; Renal cell cancer.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Comparative positron emission tomography computed tomography images demonstrating initial findings (A) and that at subsequent (B) annual surveillance. Maximal intensity projection (MIP), fused axial image, attenuation-corrected PET image and computed tomography images are presented. (A) One year ago, the patient had a normal-sized thyroid with expected low-level fluro deoxyglucose uptake. (B) At one-year surveillance follow-up, the patient developed marked thyroid enlargement with avid fluro deoxyglucose uptake. MIP images also demonstrate linear increased uptake in brachiocephalic vein (arrow).
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
(A) Transverse ultrasound image of the thyroid demonstrates an enlarged gland with a markedly heterogeneous appearance. No discrete thyroid nodules are identified. (B) Focused evaluation of right thyroid lobe redemonstrates these findings. Also seen is soft tissue distending the inferior thyroidal vein (ITV) and right internal jugular vein (Rt IJV). (C) Color Doppler interrogation shows markedly increased vascularity throughout the right lobe of the thyroid.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
(A) Transverse and (B) longitudinal ultrasound images of the right neck demonstrate soft tissue within the right internal jugular vein. (C) On Color Doppler interrogation, internal flow is demonstrated within the thrombus. (D) Spectral interrogation reveals arterial waveforms, within the thrombus, highly suspicious for tumor thrombus.
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Cytology specimen from nontargeted fine-needle aspiration from the thyroid demonstrates cells with clear, bubbly cytoplasm, and round nuclei with distinct nucleoli. Immunohistochemical stains were positive for CD10 and RCC markers and negative for TTF-1 and SOX-10 markers (thyroid cancer markers).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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