Lingual thyroid in children

Abstract

Lingual thyroid is a rare embryological anomaly and originates from failure of the thyroid gland to descend from the foramen caecum to its normal eutopic pre-laryngeal site. The ectopic gland located at the base of the tongue is often asymptomatic but may cause local symptoms such as dysphagia, dysphonia with stomatolalia, upper airway obstruction and haemorrhage, often with hypothyroidism. One case is presented, in a 5 year-old girl patient, who complained of sensation of a foreign body and progressive dysphagia and dyspnoea caused by ectopic lingual thyroid. The diagnosis of lingual thyroid is usually made clinically and radionuclide scanning is used to confirm the diagnosis. In this case report, presentation, diagnosis and management of this condition is highlighted.

Keywords

• Dysphagia
• hypothyroidism
• lingual thyroid