Ectopic Thyroid in Presumed Thyroglossal Duct Cyst.

We report a case of an eight year old female child with a midline neck mass for seven years. Since its early presentation, this midline mass has recently increased in size. A presumptive diagnosis of thyroglossal duct cyst was made clinically & planned for surgery. Preoperative evaluation revealed hypothyroidism, hence she was referred to us for the management of the same prior to excision. On further evaluation 99 Tc-thyroid scan showed that this midline mass was in fact the only functioning thyroid tissue & ultrasonography revealed no thyroid tissue in usual location, therefore no surgery was performed. This case demonstrates the essential role of a thyroid scan and ultrasonography in the preoperative evaluation of a midline neck mass.