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

Division

West Florida

Hospital

Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point

Document Type

Case Report

Publication Date

3-3-2020

Keywords

ectopic thyroid tissue, cervical, benign, thyroidectomy, lymphoid tissue

Disciplines

Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism | Hemic and Lymphatic Diseases | Oncology | Surgery

Abstract

Ectopic thyroid tissue (ETT), though an uncommon finding, is prone to be clustered along the midline in the neck and rarely it shows up as a lateral neck mass. Whenever the ETT is discovered in unusual places, the possibility of malignancy is higher, and rarely a benign variant. We present a 71-year-old female with a past history of hypertension, hypercholesteremia, and thyroid nodules presented to the physician’s office complaining of an unusual swelling in the right side of a neck. The physical examination revealed a rubbery, non-tender, mobile, dominant mass in the right upper neck at the jugulodiagastric region in the upper anterior cervical triangle. Ultrasonography (USG) and computed tomography (CT) of the neck strongly suggested the benign characteristics of the mass. The postoperative histological examination of the specimen was indicative of benign thyroid tissue with no metastatic potential and no lymphoid tissue confirming the diagnosis of ETT. To better understand the clinical, pathological, and radiological nature of this rare disease, we present a rare case of ETT in the lateral cervical area which was resected.

Publisher or Conference

Cureus

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