A Rarely Case: Symptomatic Ectopic Lingual Thyroid

Abstract

Lingual thyroid tissue -totally or partially- occurs at the base of the tongue due to a defect ofembriological migration of thyroid tissue. It is rarely symptomatic and could mimic lingualtumor tissue. We aimed to present a rare case of symptomatic lingual thyroid tissue inconjunction with radiologic, scintigraphic findings and literature review. Case: A 45 year old woman had dyspnea and dysphagia for a long time. Contrast enhanced CTrevealed well shaped, dense homogen lesion with contrast enhancement, narrowwing air columnat the base of the tongue. The lesion was hyperdense when compared with the muscle tissue innon-contrast CT. Ultrasonography revealed hyperechogen lesion. Thyroid gland was not in itsnormal localisation. Clinical and laboratory findings were consistent with subclinicalhypothyroidism. The imaging findings of the patient which were consistent with ectopic lingualthyroid tissue has been reported and verified with scintigraphy. Discussion: İf symptomatic ectopic thyroid tissue is not the only thyroid tissue in the body, itis surgically removed. In 75 % of lingual thyroid cases, ectopic tissue is the only functionalthyrod structure in the body, as in our case. Thus, clinicians should be vigilant before planningan operation for removal of the ectopic tissue. As a result, the certain diagnosis of ectopic thyroidtissue protects the patient from unnecessary surgery and possible in terms of early diagnosis ofmalignancy can develop useful.

Keywords

• Lingual thyroid
• Computer Tomography
• scintigraphy