A Rare Variant of Zuckerkandl Tubercle: Thyroid Ring

Abstract

Zuckerkandl tubercles are posteromedial projections of normal thyroid gland with relations with important neck structures. In our case, we reported "Thyroid ring", that is a ring configuration of the thyroid gland encasing the trachea and esophagus, without compression symptoms. Ring was formed by the elongated zuckerkandl tubercles, passing through the column between the esophagus and vertebral body and abutting each other at left posterolateral border of esophagus. Reporting of these relations and variations is important as it helps the operating surgeon in planning the approach to the procedure.

Supplementary information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12070-023-04079-4.

Keywords: Anatomical variant; Thyroid ring; Zuckerkandl tubercle.

Fig. 1

(a, b) CT Axial-oblique view, showing bilateral elongated zuckerkandl tubercle projecting into the column between the oesophagus and vertebral body, abutting each other at left posterolateral border of the oesophagus. Thyroid seen as a homogenous ring shaped structure encasing trachea and oesophagus – Seen as “Thyroid Ring”

Fig. 2

Axial CT image- Enlarged bilateral Zuckerkandl tubercles are noted causing compression of oesophagus

Fig. 3

Enlarged thyroid gland with enlarged bilateral Zuckerkandl tubercles causing compression of oesophagus and trachea