DOI: 10.21276/sasjs.2019.5.2.4

Pages: 87-90

Ectopic thyroid is a rare embryological aberration, with incidence between 1/100 000 and 1/300 000. It is associated with the absence of thyroid tissue in normal site in approximately 70% of cases. It is more common in women (3 to 7 W versus 1 M). This observation has concerned a 15 years old patient presenting a dysphagia for 6 months. Hormonal evaluation showed a hypothyroidism (TSH was 8.43μUI/ml). Cervical ultrasound suggested hypoplasic thyroid gland. Tomography scan concluded to the absence of thyroid tissue in normal position and presence of a mass at the base of the tongue reaching the contact of the free upper part of the epiglottis. The 99mTc thyroid scintigraphy confirmed the diagnosis, showing the absence of thyroid tissue in normal site and uptake the presence of an ectopic focus at the level of the base of the tongue. In the majority of cases, lingual thyroid is diagnosed in the childhood and young adulthood or around menopause. It appears as a mass in the base of the tongue causing local signs of compression often associated with a hypothyroidism. A 99mTc or iodine 123 thyroid scan can make diagnosis. Treatment based on hormone replacement aims to avoid ectopic tissue growth of and to prevent surgery which can be hard