CTICasesThyroid Squamous Cell Carcinoma with Bronchopneumonia
Imaging findings
Chest CT reveals a large, aggressive, circumferential thyroid mass directly invading the tracheal wall and causing near-complete, critical airway narrowing. Subsequent post-tracheostomy CT scans show the development of progressive, dependent, bronchocentric nodular consolidations in both lower lobes, with early micro-cavitation.
Key takeaways
Primary squamous cell carcinoma of the thyroid is an extremely aggressive malignancy that often presents with direct invasion of local structures, leading to acute airway compromise. Following surgical airway management (like tracheostomy), these patients are highly vulnerable to necrotizing bronchopneumonia (such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa or Staphylococcus aureus), characterized on imaging by a tree-in-bud or bronchocentric pattern of consolidations and early cavitation.
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