Ectopic goitrous submandibular thyroid with goitrous orthotopic thyroid gland

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Developmental Biology
• Surgical Pathology

Background:

• Ectopic thyroid is a rare congenital anomaly, most commonly presenting as lingual thyroid.
• Thyroid tissue located lateral to the midline, particularly in the submandibular region, is exceptionally uncommon.
• The coexistence of submandibular ectopic thyroid tissue with a normally functioning orthotopic thyroid gland is exceedingly rare.

Observation:

• This report details a rare case of ectopic thyroid tissue identified in the submandibular region.
• The patient presented with both submandibular ectopic thyroid tissue and a functional orthotopic thyroid gland.
• Diagnostic imaging and pathological examination confirmed the presence and nature of the ectopic tissue.

Findings:

• Submandibular ectopic thyroid tissue is a rare finding.
• The simultaneous presence of submandibular ectopic thyroid and a functional orthotopic thyroid gland is exceptionally rare.
• Differential diagnosis must include metastatic well-differentiated thyroid cancer.

Implications:

• Accurate diagnosis of submandibular ectopic thyroid is critical.
• Distinguishing ectopic thyroid from metastatic thyroid cancer is essential, even without a detectable primary tumor.
• This case underscores the importance of comprehensive evaluation in rare ectopic thyroid presentations.