Anaesthetic management of a large multi-nodular goitre with dynamic bilateral carotid artery compression

Abstract

Dynamic carotid compression arising from a change in patient position is a rare complication of goitre, with the potential for cerebral ischaemia and infarction. In this report, a 37-year-old woman presented with a multi-nodular goitre with clinical features concerning for transient cerebral ischaemia. The anaesthetic management and neurological monitoring used to mitigate the risk of cerebral ischaemia during thyroidectomy is described and the literature surrounding this rare complication is explored.