Chapter 57: Thyroid Gland- Misc.

Question 1

What laboratory value must be followed postoperatively after a
thyroidectomy?

Answer 1

Calcium decreased secondary to parathyroid damage

Question 2

What is the differential diagnosis of postoperative dyspnea after a
thyroidectomy?

Answer 2

1. Neck hematoma (remove sutures and clot at the bedside)
2. Bilateral recurrent laryngeal nerve damage

Question 3

What is a “lateral aberrant rest” of the thyroid?

Answer 3

Misnomer: It is papillary cancer of a LN from metastasis