olitary extramedullary plasmacytoma (EMP) is a rare tumor constituting 4% of all plasma cell neoplasms. It may occur in any reticuloendothelial system containing organs but is found most frequently in the head and neck regions, which are rich in lymphoid tissue. The most common sites of origin are the subepithelial tissues of mucous membranes of the oronasopharynx and paranasal sinuses. [1][2][3][4][5] Sonography has no role in the evaluation of tracheal lesions. We report a case of tracheal plasmacytoma that was discovered during a sonographic examination of the neck for goiter. The interesting aspect of this case is the presentation of a rare tracheal tumor diagnosed by a sonographic examination.Received January 10, 2005, from the Departments of Nuclear Medicine (M.R., A.S., M.A., A.F.Y.) and Radiology (F.T.)
Case ReportA 63-year-old female patient was referred to our department for thyroid sonography and scintigraphy to evaluate a multinodular goiter. The patient had exertional dyspnea for 6 months. Her respiratory symptoms had worsened during the last month. Physical examination revealed a large nodule on the left lobe of the thyroid gland. There were no palpable lymph nodes. An inspiratory fluctuation was sensated on the jugular notch. The remainder of the physical examination was unremarkable. Subclinical hyperthyroidism was detected. The values for total triiodothyronine and total thyroxine were normal; the value for thyrotropin was 0.09 mIU/mL (reference range, 0.35-5.5 mIU/mL). Chest radiography revealed cardiomegaly, and a small calcified parenchymal nodule was evaluated as a sequela from tuberculosis. Electrocardiography showed atrial fibrillation.