Role of CO₂ laser in the management of obstructive ectopic lingual thyroids

Abstract

Ectopic lingual thyroid glands may occasionally undergo massive hypertrophy and be a source of airway obstruction. Securing the airway prior to surgery in such cases may be difficult. In the present paper, we report on two cases of obstructive ectopic lingual thyroids which were successfully managed endoscopically using CO(2) laser. The use of CO(2) laser for removal of ectopic lingual thyroid tissue offers advantages over traditional surgical techniques. In our opinion, removal of an appropriate amount of gland to secure an adequate airway is all that is required in most cases.

Ectopic thyroid tissue: anatomical, clinical, and surgical implications of a rare entity

“…The latter approach with or without preoperative tracheotomy is chosen for larger masses providing better control of bleeding (8,16,17,21,82,83). For the transoral approach, more successful outcomes may be achieved by using monopolar coagulation, the CO 2 laser, or laser diiodine (16,17,84,85). In cases when ectopic is the only functional thyroid gland, some authors recommend transplantation of the resected tissue in order to avoid permanent hypothyroidism (8,16).…”

Diagnosis and Management Protocol of Lingual Thyroid

“…Lingual thyroid may manifest at any age more commonly around puberty probably due to increased demand for thyroid hormone causing increase in circulating TSH resulting in growth of ectopic thyroid tissue. 13 Symptoms are dysphagia, dysphonia, ulceration bleeding for the mouth. 14 Malignant transformation and hypothyroidism are the common complications.…”

Concurrent lingual thyroid and undescended thyroglossal duct thyroid without orthotopic thyroid gland

“…Lingual thyroid may occasionally undergo massive hypertrophy resulting in airway obstruction. Endoscopic CO 2 laser resection has been employed to manage this potentially life‐threatening situation 7. Surgical transposition of lingual thyroid to the floor of the mouth has recently been described 8…”