Importance of ectopic thyroid tissue detected in the midline of the neck: single center experience

Abstract

Objective: Ectopic thyroid tissue (ETT) is a rare abnormality of the thyroid gland and the true prevalence and importance is not known. The aim of this study was to evaluate ultrasonography (US) guided fine needle aspiration biposy (FNAB) results, sonographic features, and frequency of ETT detected in the midline of the neck. Subjects and methods: Five thousand five hundred and twenty outpatients who were referred to our thyroid clinic between September 2010 and April 2012 and underwent thyroid US, were retrospectively analyzed. Patients with ETT, detected in the midline of the neck in US were included in the study. Thyroid functions, sonographic features, and US guided FNAB results were evaluated. Results: There were 81 (81.8%) female and 18 (18.2%) male patients with a mean age of 50.9 ± 11.7. The ETT in the midline was present in 1.79% (99/5,520) of the patients. In the majority of the patients, benign sonographic features (isoechoic, regular margin, type 1 vascularization) were detected. There were 92 (92.9%) patients with a previous history of thyroidectomy and all were histopathologically benign. In 7 (7.1%) patients, there was no history of thyroid operation. FNAB results of ETT were benign. Conclusion: This study evaluated the importance of ETT detected incidentally in the midline of the neck. Especially in patients with a history of thyroidectomy, the thyroid masses in the midline of the neck can be found as incidental with imaging methods. Our results suggests that the incidence of malignancy in this group is much lower than orthotopic thyroid nodules and they are often benign. Arch Endocrinol Metab. 2016;60(3):231-5

A cadaveric case report of dual thyroid: ectopic and normal location thyroid with brief review of literature

“…However, thyroid scintigraphy is most important radiological test to diagnose ectopic thyroid tissue. 6,8,[22][23][24] Treatment procedures such as surgical excision and radioiodine ablation both has role in managing symptomatic ectopic thyroid. 1,6,8 Thus, in this report we have presented a photographic evidence of ectopic thyroid gland and normally located thyroid gland the anterior neck in a female cadaver along with a brief review summarizing important facets of normally located thyroid gland and ectopic thyroid that could be beneficial in understanding such rare but important congenital abnormality.…”

“…Apart from these major investigations, there are some organ specific diagnostic modalities that can be utilized to rule out the presence of ectopic thyroid tissue in unusual locations namely echocardiography and coronary angiography for intracardiac thyroid tissue or barium swallow for locating thyroid tissue in gastrointestinal tract. 6,8,[22][23][24] Management of symptomatic ectopic thyroid has several treatment options including surgical excision of thyroid tissue using recent advances in minimal invasive techniques and/or radioiodine ablation procedure. Therefore, having comprehensive knowledge of morphological variations in the thyroid gland including presence of ectopic thyroid tissue would be very beneficial for clinicians evaluating results from thyroid scans and also while performing surgical procedures such as total, subtotal, and partial thyroidectomy.…”

Submental ectopic thyroid in a patient with an orthotopic thyroid gland

“…[ 4 ] The prevalence of this entity is 1/100,000–300,000 people and 1 in 4000–8000 patients with thyroid diseases and male to female ratio is ¼. Interestingly, in autopsy studies, up to 7%–10% of population may have ectopic thyroid tissue along the thyroglossal duct. [ 5 ]…”

“…Ectopic thyroid can manifest clinically in any age group, particularly in Asian females over 40 years of age. [ 5 ] Patients may be asymptomatic or present with symptoms depending on size, location, and associated endocrine dysfunction of ectopic glands. These include dysphagia and dyspnea which are related to mass effect caused by the ectopic thyroid.…”

Benign Ectopic Thyroid Tissue in the Neck: A Case Report of a Rare Finding

“…In these patients, a proper preoperative diagnostic workup consists of ultrasonography (USG), CT of the neck, and fine-needle aspiration (FNA) for cytology [1,9]. These imaging modalities will certainly not just distinguish the histological component of ETT as benign vs. malignant but may aid in recognizing the embryonic vs. migratory root causes of the mass [1,10]. Once the appropriate diagnosis is established curative surgical resection offers the best possible treatment.…”