Ectopic thyroid tissue in the head and neck: a case series

Abstract

Background: Through a review of three cases, the etiopathogenetic, clinical-diagnostic, and therapeutic aspects of ectopic thyroid tissue are herein discussed to highlight the main presentations of this polymorphous disease.

Case presentations: The first case involved an ectopic thyroid gland in the lingual area in a 45-year-old Caucasian woman who presented with dysphagia and midline swelling at the base of the tongue. The second case involved a 22-year-old Caucasian woman with a submandibular mass comprising ectopic thyroid tissue. The third case involved a 33-year-old Caucasian man with a typical thyroglossal duct cyst characterized by the presence of thyroid tissue upon histological analysis.

Conclusion: Surgery seems to be the most appropriate treatment for patients with ectopic thyroid tissue showing clinical signs of upper airway obstruction or when the lesion shows signs of infection or malignant degeneration. When a site of ectopic thyroid tissue is the only such site in the body, removal of this tissue will usually lead to hypothyroidism that requires medical thyroid hormone replacement.

Figure 1

Distribution of heterotopic thyroid tissue.

Figure 2

Axial T2-weighted turbo spin echo unenhanced sequence without fat saturation shows a 4.5 × 4.0 × 3.7-cm hyperintense, rough oval formation suspected to contain mucus.

Figure 3

Axial (a) and sagittal (b) unenhanced computed tomography scans show the presence of a hypodense round mass (3 × 4 cm) (arrows) with a fluid density value (mean density = 20 HU) located medially and in front of the hyoid bone (arrowhead).