Ectopia tiroidea doble: a propósito de un caso

Abstract

Introduction: Thyroid ectopy is described as the presence of thyroid tissue in a location that is different from that of its usual in the lower anterior neck. It has very low prevalence and it finds its origin in disruptions in the descent from the base of the tongue to its final position during gland embriogenesis. The diagnosis is based on imaging tests and histologic studies, the treatment varies according to its location, symptoms and hormonal functionality. Double thyroid ectopy is a very rare finding, with approximately 40 cases described in the literature. Case presentation: We present a 39 year old female patient who was under follow up because of a double thyroid ectopic tissue: in the tongue base and left submandibular locations. She was derived to our Department after a growth of the submandibular subunit in the last year was detected in the computed tomography scan (CT). She was asymptomatic and thyroid functionality tests were normal. Surgical treatment of the submandibular thyroid tissue was consensuated, with a modified Risdon like approach, and monitoring of the nodule at the base of the tongue. Discussion: Thyroid ectopic tissue is a very infrequent finding and even rarer is a double ectopy. We present a patient in which a surgical approach was decided after observing a growth in one of the ectopia nodules even though she was in a euthyroidism hormonal state.