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Transoral Endoscopic Thyroidectomy Vestibular Approach for Thyroid Lobectomy
Published on: May 12, 2023
Medullary carcinoma in a lingual thyroid
1Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Rohtak 124001, India.
Singapore Medical Journal
|March 26, 2008
Summary
Malignant change in a total ectopic lingual thyroid is rare. This case highlights medullary carcinoma in a lingual thyroid, emphasizing the need for investigation of tongue base masses.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Oncology
- Surgical Pathology
Background:
- Total thyroid ectopia is a rare congenital anomaly.
- Malignant transformation within ectopic thyroid tissue is exceptionally uncommon.
- Lingual thyroid represents a specific form of thyroid ectopia located at the base of the tongue.
Observation:
- A 45-year-old woman presented with dysphagia and a sessile mass at the tongue base.
- The mass was surgically removed via Trotter's midline approach.
- Histopathological examination revealed medullary carcinoma arising in an ectopic thyroid gland.
Findings:
- The ectopic thyroid tissue at the base of the tongue harbored medullary carcinoma.
- Post-operative thyroxine therapy successfully maintained the patient's euthyroid status.
- The embryological origins of ectopic thyroid and literature on its carcinomatous changes were reviewed.
Implications:
- This case underscores the importance of considering ectopic thyroid, including total ectopia, in the differential diagnosis of tongue base masses.
- Early detection and surgical management are crucial for potentially malignant ectopic thyroid tissue.
- Further research into the carcinogenetic pathways in ectopic thyroid glands may be warranted.
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