Silencing a noisy goitre sans scalpel

A term male baby weighing 2.6 kg born by spontaneous vaginal delivery was noted to have a large neck swelling and respiratory distress. Antenatal ultrasonography had revealed a large thyroid swelling encasing the trachea but not extending into the mediastinum or causing obstruction. The mother was clinically euthyroid and was not on any drugs. On examination, he had severe stridor and tachypnoea and required oxygen by nasal prongs. His neck was hyperextended …