Importance of ectopic thyroid tissue detected in the midline of the neck: single center experience

Objective Ectopic thyroid tissue (ETT) is a rare abnormality of the thyroid gland and the true prevalence and importance is not known. The aim of this study was to evaluate ultrasonography (US) guided fine needle aspiration biposy (FNAB) results, sonographic features, and frequency of ETT detected in the midline of the neck. Subjects and methods Five thousand five hundred and twenty outpatients who were referred to our thyroid clinic between September 2010 and April 2012 and underwent thyroid US, were retrospectively analyzed. Patients with ETT, detected in the midline of the neck in US were included in the study. Thyroid functions, sonographic features, and US guided FNAB results were evaluated. Results There were 81 (81.8%) female and 18 (18.2%) male patients with a mean age of 50.9 ± 11.7. The ETT in the midline was present in 1.79% (99/5,520) of the patients. In the majority of the patients, benign sonographic features (isoechoic, regular margin, type 1 vascularization) were detected. There were 92 (92.9%) patients with a previous history of thyroidectomy and all were histopathologically benign. In 7 (7.1%) patients, there was no history of thyroid operation. FNAB results of ETT were benign. Conclusion This study evaluated the importance of ETT detected incidentally in the midline of the neck. Especially in patients with a history of thyroidectomy, the thyroid masses in the midline of the neck can be found as incidental with imaging methods. Our results suggests that the incidence of malignancy in this group is much lower than orthotopic thyroid nodules and they are often benign.

Ectopic Thyroid Tissue Co-Existing with a Eutopic Thyroid.

Ectopic thyroid tissue, a developmental defect of thyroid gland, is met with rarity in day to day clinical practice. The diagnosis of ectopic thyroid demands a meticulous clinical examination and use of different imaging modalities. We are here reporting a case which presented as an anterior neck swelling, moving with deglutition, and also on and off dysphagia. After necessary investigations she underwent surgery and then the diagnosis of ectopic thyroid was made which was later confirmed with biopsy report which was suggestive of lymphocytic thyroiditis.

Ectopic Thyroid Tissue With a Rare Vascular Variation / Tejido Tiroideo Ectópico con una Rara Variación Vascular

Awareness of the variations and anomalous existence of some structures serve as useful guide for both in studies of human anatomy and in clinical practice today. Identification of ectopic thyroid tissue and variations in origin, number and course of the branches of the superior thyroid artery are of significant practical importance for the general, vascular surgeons and radiologist. Angiographic images with such vascular patterns may lead to confusion in interpretation. The relations of these vessels with the other structures are important for accurate diagnostic and invasive techniques and to prevent further complications during surgical interventions. In our routine dissections with the purpose of preparation of the teaching and museum specimens, it was observed that in one of the elderly male cadaver showed median thyroid tissue at a site other than in its usual pretracheal region. It was situated in the median plane extending from the hyoid bone to the front of cricoid cartilage. Normal thyroid gland in the pretracheal region was absent. Added to this rare anomaly a vascular anomaly was found in the same ectopic thyroid tissue. Solely the superior thyroid arteries supplied this median thyroid tissue. The inferior thyroid arteries were found to be absent on both sides supplying this median thyroid tissue.

Conocer la existencia de variaciones y anomalías de algunas estructuras, sirve usualmente como guía para estudios de anatomía humana y práctica clínica. La identificación de tejido tiroideo ectópico y variaciones en origen, número y curso de ramas de la arteria tiroidea superior son, por lo general, de importancia práctica significativa para cirujanos vasculares y radiólogos. Imágenes angiográficas con tales patrones vasculares pueden llevar a confusión en su interpretación. La relación de estos vasos con otras estructuras son importantes en un diagnóstico acucioso, en técnicas invasivas y para prevenir complicaciones durante intervenciones quirúrgicas. En una disección de rutina, con el propósito de preparar piezas anatómicas de museo para la enseñanza, se observó en un cadáver de sexo masculino, tejido tiroideo mediano en un sitio diferente a la región pretraqueal. Estaba situado en el plano mediano extendiéndose desde el hueso hiodes a la parte anterior del cartflago cricoides. La glándula tiroides normal en la región pretraqueal estuvo ausente. Agregada a estainusual variación, una rara anomalía vascular fue encontrada en el mismo tejido tiroideo ectópico, sólo las arterias tiroideas superiores irrigaban este tejido tiroideo mediano. No se encontraron arterias tiroideas inferiores irrigando este tejido.