Thyroid tissue presenting as a nodule in the base of the tongue due to the embryonic failure to descend to the anterior neck is a rare clinical entity, called lingual thyroid. Clinical presentation varies depending upon the degree of obstruction caused by an enlarged nodule or features related to thyroid function. We report a case of a 27-year-old female who presented with a foreign body sensation in the throat with mild dysphagia for 3 weeks. The patient was diagnosed as lingual thyroid with subclinical hypothyroidism based on clinical findings, imaging, and fine-needle aspiration cytology. Conservative management with hormone suppression can result in size reduction of ectopic thyroid tissue improving symptoms without surgery. Lingual thyroid with mild symptoms and subclinical hypothyroidism can be managed conservatively.
Salivary gland tumours are relatively rare and constitute about 3-4 % of head and neck tumours. Most of the tumours arise from parotid glands. Submandibular gland tumours are very rare. Pleomorphic adenoma of the submandibular gland is exceedingly rare tumour. Very few studies have been reported in the literature that is exclusively conducted on pleomorphic adenoma affecting submandibular gland. Patients usually present with a slow growing, painless and mobile mass without any other associated symptoms. Radiologic studies are usually unable to differentiate benign from malignant tumours in most cases. Recurrence is rare with complete en bloc excision of the tumour along with submandibular gland. Prognosis is excellent except for the rare cases of malignant transformation. This paper describes a case of pleomorphic adenoma affecting submandibular gland with brief review of current literature on submandibular gland tumours.
Keywords: pleomorphic adenoma; salivary gland; submandibular gland tumours.
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