Ectopic thyroid with benign and malignant findings: A case series

Abstract

HighlightsThyroid heterotopy can be a cause of tumorous oropharyngeal and neck lesions.We present three cases of ectopic thyroid tissue with compression of the upper aerodigestive tract in the lingual area, thyroglossal duct cyst, and right submandibular region.We describe clinical and imaging examinations for diagnosis and treatment.

Lingual thyroid with severe hypothyroidism

“…The possible causes of thyroid dysgenesis include the impact of maternal antithyroid immunoglobulins, genetic mutations, and genes of transcription factors, such as TITF1/NKX2–1 , PAX8 , FOXE1 , and HHEX . [ 1 , 7 ] These transcription factors are not only expressed in functioning thyroid cells but also can be found in their precursors, which seem to be essential for the morphogenesis of early thyroid development. TITF1/NKX2–1 is responsible for the thyroid-specific expression of thyroglobulin and thyroid peroxidase.…”

“…Primary thyroid carcinomas arising in lingual thyroids are uncommon in less than 1% of cases. [ 1 , 7 ] Usually, they are incidentally diagnosed after surgical excision of the ectopic mass. Reported pathological types are mostly papillary carcinomas, followed by follicular, mixed follicular and papillary, Hürthel cell, and medullary carcinomas.…”

“…Reported pathological types are mostly papillary carcinomas, followed by follicular, mixed follicular and papillary, Hürthel cell, and medullary carcinomas. [ 3 , 7 , 20 ]…”

“…FNAC can not only help to confirm the diagnosis of ETT but also to rule out the potential of malignancy. [ 1 , 5 , 7 ]…”

“…[ 3 , 5 ] The diagnosis of lingual thyroid is usually through clinical examination, biochemical tests, imaging methods including ultrasonography, thyroid scintigraphy, computed tomography (CT) scan, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) plays as a key role in diagnosing confirmation. [ 1 , 6 , 7 ] We reported a case of a 29-year-old female who presented with symptoms of easy fatigue and depression for 3 months. After a series of diagnostic workup, the lingual thyroid with severe hypothyroidism was diagnosed.…”