Ectopic lingual thyroid tissue and acquired hypothyroidism: case report

Ann Endocrinol (Paris). 2006 Jun;67(3):245-8. doi: 10.1016/s0003-4266(06)72593-8.

Abstract

Ectopic thyroid tissue with thyroid gland in its normal location is an extremely rare phenomenon. We present a case of a 38-year-old woman who was referred to our hospital with symptoms of hypothyroidism. Thyroid hormone measurement revealed clinical hypothyroidism with elevated anti-thyroid antibodies, neck ultrasonography showed a small tissue with the characteristic of Hashimoto thyroiditis, while the scintigraphy demonstrated only a lingual thyroid. Treatment consisted in L-thyroxine replacement to the euthyroid state. We reviewed the literature with respect to the embryological background and the clinical management of such cases.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Choristoma / pathology*
  • Female
  • Hashimoto Disease / pathology
  • Humans
  • Hypothyroidism / drug therapy
  • Hypothyroidism / etiology*
  • Hypothyroidism / pathology
  • Middle Aged
  • Neck / diagnostic imaging
  • Technetium
  • Thyroid Gland*
  • Thyroxine / therapeutic use
  • Tongue Diseases / pathology*
  • Ultrasonography

Substances

  • Technetium
  • Thyroxine