Presentation
The patient presents with a right-sided neck mass post-total thyroidectomy.
Patient Data
![](https://prod-images-static.radiopaedia.org/images/60294104/ecd039a8343ab8b1b3659e5451a7a397e659b0f84d24f1b9ec83e1484b953848_big_gallery.jpeg)
The left thyroid bed appears clear in a setting of total thyroidectomy secondary to thyroid carcinoma.
Within the right thyroid bed, there is an echogenic mass measuring 3.37 x 1.23 x 3.73 cm with posterior acoustic shadowing.
There are no suspicious lymph nodes, no necrotic lymph nodes and no nodal abscesses.
The cervical soft tissues are otherwise normal post-surgery.
The video clip demonstrates an echogenic, circumscribed mass, inferior to the right sternocleidomastoid muscle with associated posterior acoustic shadowing.
![](https://prod-images-static.radiopaedia.org/images/60289491/9d573747bf3c8e03e128a39d250be9a0d1b593f17a51e9d158a866ddcae37dca_thumb.jpeg)
![](https://prod-images-static.radiopaedia.org/images/60289494/4b314b54cb11164e051d798aa52702ec2c76cc5bff966bad33a93afced60e283_thumb.jpeg)
![](https://prod-images-static.radiopaedia.org/images/60289492/e2f5590ca3f44a6ba9adc53249fd4e3af5ff09a339c7c7247be1af418ec26525_thumb.jpeg)
![](https://prod-images-static.radiopaedia.org/images/60289493/26841e5af03897ae0bb830cce3e434fa90621ff68e96d5b5db35222742840787_thumb.jpeg)
![](https://prod-images-static.radiopaedia.org/images/60289491/9d573747bf3c8e03e128a39d250be9a0d1b593f17a51e9d158a866ddcae37dca_big_gallery.jpeg)
The cervical views confirm the paramidline surgical clips consistent with a history of total thyroidectomy. The serpiginous, linear, radiopaque strips of the retained surgical sponge or gauze are well-identified within the right thyroid bed. There are no associated gaseous locules.
There is a reversal of the normal cervical lordosis suggesting severe pain and or muscle spasm.
Case Discussion
Features consistent with a retained surgical swab/ gauze within the cervical soft tissues post-total thyroidectomy. The patient was non-septic and had an unremarkable recovery post-surgical removal of the retained foreign body.