Triple ectopic thyroid associated with normally located pretracheal thyroid gland: A rare entity

Ectopic thyroid tissue is a rare entity resulting from developmental defects at early stages of thyroid gland embryogenesis, during its passage from the floor of the primitive foregut to its final pre-tracheal position. It is frequently found around the course of the thyroglossal duct or laterally in the neck, as well as in distant places such as the mediastinum and the subdiaphragmatic organs. Although most cases are asymptomatic, symptoms related to tumor size and its relationship with surrounding tissues may also appear. Any disease affecting the thyroid gland may also involve the ectopic thyroid, including malignancy. The clinician must distinguish between ectopic thyroid and metastatic deposits emerging from an orthotopic gland, as well as other benign or malignant masses. Thyroid scintigraphy plays the most important role in diagnosing ectopy, but ultrasonography contributes as well. In cases of symptomatic disease, surgery is the treatment of choice, followed by radioiodine ablation and levothyroxine suppression therapy in more refractory cases. This review provides current understanding about the wide clinical spectrum of this rare condition, also referring to optimal diagnostic approach, differential diagnosis, and management strategies.

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Isolated thyroid carcinoma in an ectopic thyroid tissue

BMJ Case Reports ◽

10.1136/bcr-2020-239738 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 14 (2) ◽

pp. e239738

Author(s):

Gokulnath Nambiar ◽

Harish Eshwarappa ◽

Hema Kini ◽

Dileep Chidanand

Keyword(s):

Thyroid Gland ◽

Thyroid Carcinoma ◽

Preoperative Evaluation ◽

Thyroid Tissue ◽

Nodal Metastasis ◽

Ectopic Thyroid ◽

Rare Entity ◽

Normal Thyroid ◽

Ectopic Thyroid Tissue ◽

Sistrunk’S Procedure

Ectopic thyroid tissue (ETT) is a rare developmental abnormality due to aberrant embryogenesis of the thyroid gland. Although rare (<1%), papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is the most common malignant transformation seen. A 34-year-old man presented with neck nodal swelling, on preoperative evaluation, was found to have PT) in ETT with the normal thyroid gland and nodal metastasis. The patient underwent surgery for PTC along with Sistrunk’s procedure and the histopathology revealed ectopic thyroid carcinoma with a normal thyroid and lymph nodal metastasis. Although a rare entity, the possibility of an ectopic thyroid carcinoma should be considered in differentiated cancers with neck nodes in the setting of a normal thyroid gland. Clinical suspicion and radiological imaging would help improve the preoperative diagnosis which in turn alters the management and thereby providing a better outcome to the patient.

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Ectopic thyroid gland- presentation at childhood, adolescent and adult life

Bangladesh Journal of Nuclear Medicine ◽

10.3329/bjnm.v17i1.22503 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 17 (1) ◽

pp. 116-124

Author(s):

Md Sunny Anam Chowdhury ◽

Mohshi Um Mokaddema ◽

Tanzina Naushin ◽

Simoon Salekin ◽

Nabeel Fahmi Ali ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Thyroid Gland ◽

Thyroid Tissue ◽

Adult Life ◽

Ectopic Thyroid ◽

Rare Entity ◽

Neck Swelling ◽

Anterior Neck ◽

Adult Age ◽

Body Sensation ◽

Dual Ectopic Thyroid

Ectopic thyroid is a rare entity that can appear at any age with different presentations. In this study we are reporting four cases of ectopic thyroid gland at different ages; two cases at childhood, one at adolescent and one at adult life. Among the two children, one having ectopic thyroid at the level of hyoid bone, presented with anterior neck swelling with no other symptom and another one having a lingual ectopic thyroid presented with features of hypothyroidism and obstructive features. The cases of adolescent and adult age are very rare cases of dual ectopic thyroid and ectopic thyroid tissue coexisting with normal thyroid gland respectively. Both of them presented with anterior neck swelling, with additional complaints of dysphagia and foreign body sensation by the adolescent patient. All the cases, ectopic thyroids were detected by Ultrasonogram and confirmed by radionuclide (99mTc) thyroid scan. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjnm.v17i1.22503 Bangladesh J. Nuclear Med. 17(1): 116-124, January 2014

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Ectopic thyroid - two case reports

Bangladesh Journal of Otorhinolaryngology ◽

10.3329/bjo.v18i2.12016 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 18 (2) ◽

pp. 193-199

Author(s):

DGM Akaiduzzaman ◽

Md Zahedul Alam ◽

Manilal Aich

Keyword(s):

Differential Diagnosis ◽

Thyroid Hormone ◽

Thyroid Gland ◽

Case Reports ◽

Management Strategies ◽

Rare Condition ◽

Ectopic Thyroid ◽

Rare Entity ◽

Thyroid Scintigraphy ◽

Rare Finding

Bachground: Ectopic thyroid is a rare entity resulting from maldescent of the thyroid gland & can be found anywhere between the foramen cecum & the normal pretracheal position of the thyroid gland, as well as in distant places such as the mediastinum and the subdiaphragmatic organs. Although most cases are asymptomatic, obstructive symptoms may appear. Any disease affecting the thyroid gland may also involve the ectopic thyroid, including malignancy. Hypothyroidism is frequent but hyperthyroidism is an exceptionally rare finding. The clinician must distinguish between ectopic thyroid and metastatic deposits emerging from an orthotopic gland, as well as other benign or malignant masses. Thyroid scintigraphy plays the most important role in diagnosing ectopy, but ultrasonography contributes as well. Treatment is indicated in the presence of symptoms & consists initially of full replacement thyroid hormone therapy. Severe or unresponsive cases require excision.Case reports: We present here two case reports & review of the literature.Conclusion: This review provides current understanding about the wide clinical spectrum of this rare condition, optimal diagnostic approach, differential diagnosis, and management strategies. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjo.v18i2.12016 Bangladesh J Otorhinolaryngol 2012; 18(2): 193-199

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Developing anterior mediastinum mass after orthotopic thyroidectomy: a case report

Egyptian Journal of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine ◽

10.1186/s43055-020-00377-x ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 51 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Rita Meira Soares Camelo ◽

José Maria Barros

Keyword(s):

Thyroid Gland ◽

Total Thyroidectomy ◽

Thyroid Tissue ◽

Anterior Mediastinum ◽

Ectopic Thyroid ◽

Ectopic Thyroid Tissue ◽

Ectopic Tissue ◽

Thyroid Scan ◽

Imaging Results ◽

Adjacent Structures

Abstract Background Ectopic thyroid tissue is a rare embryological aberration described by the occurrence of thyroid tissue at a site other than in its normal pretracheal location. Depending on the time of the disruption during embryogenesis, ectopic thyroid may occur at several positions from the base of the tongue to the thyroglossal duct. Ectopic mediastinal thyroid tissue is normally asymptomatic, but particularly after orthotopic thyroidectomy, it might turn out to be symptomatic. Symptoms are normally due to compression of adjacent structures. Case presentation We present a case of a 66-year-old male submitted to a total thyroidectomy 3 years ago, due to multinodular goiter (pathological results revealed nodular hyperplasia and no evidence of malignancy), under thyroid replacement therapy. Over the last year, he developed hoarseness, choking sensation in the chest, and shortness of breath. Thyroid markers were unremarkable. He was submitted to neck and thoracic computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and radionuclide thyroid scan. Imaging results identified an anterior mediastinum solid lesion. A radionuclide thyroid scan confirmed the diagnosis of ectopic thyroid tissue. The patient refused surgery. Conclusions Ectopic thyroid tissue can occur either as the only detectable thyroid gland tissue or in addition to a normotopic thyroid gland. After a total thyroidectomy, thyroid-stimulating hormone can promote a compensatory volume growth of previously asymptomatic ectopic tissue. This can be particularly diagnosis challenging since ectopic tissue can arise as an ambiguous space-occupying lesion.

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Submandibular ectopic thyroid gland: an uncommon presentation

The Egyptian Journal of Otolaryngology ◽

10.1186/s43163-021-00124-7 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 37 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Inès Riahi ◽

Rim Fradi ◽

Ibtissem Ben Nacef ◽

Ahlem Blel

Keyword(s):

Thyroid Gland ◽

Thyroid Tissue ◽

Ectopic Thyroid ◽

Lingual Thyroid ◽

Submandibular Region ◽

Case Presentation ◽

Thyroglossal Duct ◽

Common Presentation ◽

Ectopic Thyroid Tissue ◽

Uncommon Presentation

Abstract Background Ectopic thyroid is a developmental anomaly of the thyroid gland of embryological origin. Instead of having a pretracheal situation, thyroid tissue is elsewhere, most commonly in the median cervical line along the course of the thyroglossal duct. Lingual thyroid is the most common presentation. Ectopic thyroid tissue in the submandibular region has been rarely reported. Case presentation We report herein a case of a 65-year-old man admitted to our department with a complaint of a painless swelling in the left submandibular region. Conclusions Thyroid gland ectopia should be considered among the differential diagnoses of submandibular swelling. Ectopic thyroid tissue can present with the same pathology affecting the normal thyroid gland such as malignancy and hyperthyroidism.

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Dual ectopic thyroid: A rare entity

Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health ◽

10.1111/jpc.12593_2 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 51 (6) ◽

pp. 648-648

Keyword(s):

Ectopic Thyroid ◽

Rare Entity ◽

Dual Ectopic Thyroid

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Sonographic evaluation of children with congenital hypothyroidism

Radiologia Brasileira ◽

10.1590/0100-3984.2014.0040 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 48 (4) ◽

pp. 220-224 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Anelise de Almeida Sedassari ◽

Luis Ronan Marquez Ferreira de Souza ◽

Nathalie de Almeida Sedassari ◽

Maria de Fátima Borges ◽

Heloisa Marcelina da Cunha Palhares ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Thyroid Gland ◽

Congenital Hypothyroidism ◽

Noninvasive Imaging ◽

Treatment Discontinuation ◽

Ectopic Thyroid ◽

Imaging Method ◽

Thyroid Ultrasonography ◽

Etiological Diagnosis ◽

Sonographic Evaluation ◽

Definition Of

Abstract Objective: To establish benchmarks and study some sonographic characteristics of the thyroid gland in a group of euthyroid children aged up to 5 years as compared with age-matched children with congenital hypothyroidism. Materials and Methods: Thirty-six children (17 female and 19 male) aged between 2 months and 5 years were divided into two groups – 23 euthyroid children and 13 children with congenital hypothyroidism – and were called to undergo ultrasonography. Results: In the group of euthyroid children (n = 23), mean total volume of the thyroid gland was 1.12 mL (minimum, 0.39 mL; maximum, 2.72 mL); a homogeneous gland was found in 17 children (73.91%) and 6 children (26.08%) had a heterogeneous gland. In the group of children with congenital hypothyroidism (n = 13), mean total volume of the thyroid gland was 2.73 mL (minimum, 0.20 mL; maximum, 11.00 mL). As regards thyroid location, 3 patients (23.07%) had ectopic thyroid, and 10 (69.23%) had topic thyroid, and out of the latter, 5 had a homogeneous gland (50%) and 5, a heterogeneous gland (50%). In the group with congenital hypothyroidism, 6 (46.15%) children had etiological diagnosis of dyshormoniogenesis, 3 (23.07%), of ectopic thyroid, and 4 (30.76%), of thyroid hypoplasia. Conclusion: Thyroid ultrasonography is a noninvasive imaging method, widely available, easy to perform and for these reasons could, and should, be performed at any time, including at birth, with no preparation or treatment discontinuation, to aid in the early etiological definition of congenital hypothyroidism.

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