Intratracheal Thyroid: A Different Approach

Abstract

During embryonic development, the abnormal migration of thyroid tissue may cause ectopic localization of the gland in the intralaryngotracheal space. This case report describes the management of a young patient with a recent diagnosis of asthma. During bronchoscopy, a large mass occupying the tracheal lumen was discovered. After tracheotomy to protect the airway, an incisional biopsy was performed and revealed an intratracheal ectopic thyroid. The deep incisions through the tracheotomy to the base of the lesion allowed colloidal content to leak out of the mass until complete resolution of airway obstruction. Fifteen days later the patient was released totally rehabilitated.

Benign Intratracheal Thyroid: A Systematic Review of 43 Cases With Five New Case Reports

“…1); two were excluded for not being reported in English, 71 were excluded because of lacking detailed information, two were excluded because being redundant older reports of the same patient, and one was a report of a patient with thyroid cancer with tracheal invasion. Of the remaining 38 reports, all have orthotopic thyroid glands which could be distinguished from “ectopic thyroid.” A summary of the clinical details of the 38 ITT patients are shown in Table I 1,2,4–39 …”

“…Of the remaining 38 reports, all have orthotopic thyroid glands which could be distinguished from “ectopic thyroid.” A summary of the clinical details of the 38 ITT patients are shown in Table I . 1 , 2 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 …”