Mediastinal goiter means the presence of a goiter within the mediastinum or the thoracic cavity and is also called intrathoracic or substernal goiter. However, its terminology and definition have not been standardized. Katlic et al. defined mediastinal goiter as a thyroid tumor existing continuously or discontinuously in the mediastinum, with not less than 50% of the tumor always being within the mediastinum. This condition is treated with surgery. The tumor can often be removed when it is approached via a collar incision in the cervical region, but sternotomy is sometimes needed. The present study investigated patients who underwent thyroid surgery during the recent 10-year period, and those who were treated surgically after being diagnosed as having mediastinal goiter based on the above definition were reviewed.
