Lingual thyroid clinically simulating a thyroglossal duct cyst

Ectopia of thyroid is a rare embryological aberration characterized by the thyroid tissue being in a site other than its usual pretracheal location. Lingual location is the most common and accounts for 90% of ectopia of thyroid gland. Most patients present with asymptomatic midline neck swelling or a mass and often pose a diagnostic challenge. Imaging plays an important role in detection of ectopic thyroid tissue and its differentiation from other mid-line swellings in the neck. We present here a case where the diagnosis was made on the basis of CT scan and confirmed by thyroid scan