Ectopic thyroid tissue surrounding the right laryngeal nerve: a case report

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Surgical Pathology

Background:

• Ectopic thyroid tissue (ETT) is a rare congenital anomaly where thyroid tissue develops outside its normal pretracheal location.
• While ETT can occur in various sites, its presence in the lateral neck, particularly surrounding the recurrent laryngeal nerve, is exceptionally uncommon.

Observation:

• A 64-year-old woman presented with bilateral thyroid goiter detected via ultrasound.
• During total thyroidectomy and modified radical neck dissection, a nodule unexpectedly found surrounding the right recurrent laryngeal nerve was identified.

Findings:

• Histopathological examination confirmed the nodule to be ectopic thyroid tissue.
• This finding is significant as thyroid tissue in the lateral neck is often presumed to be metastatic well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma.

Implications:

• This case underscores the importance of considering ectopic thyroid tissue in the differential diagnosis of lateral neck masses, especially when nodules encase the recurrent laryngeal nerve.
• The unusual location of ETT near the recurrent laryngeal nerve, without associated symptoms, presents a diagnostic challenge and highlights the need for careful evaluation.