Introduction. Lingual thyroid gland is a rare anomaly of thyroid gland
development, occurring more frequently in females. If it causes local
symptomatology such as dysphagia, dysphonia or dyspnea it is diagnosed in
childhood, however, if it is asymptomatic it is usually diagnosed in
adulthood. Case Outline. We present a 23-year-old female patient in whom we
diagnosed lingual thyroid gland coincidentally during diagnostic procedures
of a concomitant disease. The application of 131I scintigraphy showed an oval
field of intensive accumulation of radio markers in the zone of medial face
line, around tongue base, with the absence of thyroid gland in its
physiological position. Functional testing proved primary hypothyroidism and
we started the application of substitution therapy. The application of
levothyroxine resulted in reaching euthyroid state and the reduction of
thyroid gland size. Conclusion. We present a very rare anomaly of the thyroid
gland, and so far there have been no clear attitudes about further treatment.
The general condition of the patient, age, the size of ectopic thyroid gland
and the existence of local symptomatology or complications represent the
factors that have influence on the choice of treatment method.
Dysfunctional ectopic thyroid gland: A case report
