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Follicular adenoma in ectopic thyroid. A case-report
Vincenzo Consalvo1, Gerarda Barbieri2, Amalia Rosaria Rita Rossetti2
1Università degli Studi di Salerno, Italy; Collaborator of Clinique du Parc Montpellier, France.
International Journal of Surgery Case Reports
|September 26, 2017
Summary
Ectopic thyroid tissue in the submandibular region, though rare, can present as a swelling. Surgical removal and histopathology confirmed a follicular adenoma, highlighting the need for definitive treatment over observation.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Head and Neck Surgery
- Pathology
Background:
- Ectopic thyroid is thyroid tissue outside the normal anatomical location, lacking vascular connection to the main gland.
- Submandibular swelling requires differentiation from various pathologies including tumors and inflammatory lesions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present a case of submandibular ectopic thyroid.
- To emphasize the diagnostic and therapeutic importance of surgical intervention for ectopic thyroid lesions.
Main Methods:
- Case presentation of a 67-year-old woman with left submandibular swelling.
- Diagnostic workup included imaging studies and Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology (FNAC).
- Surgical excision followed by histopathological examination.
Main Results:
- Histopathology revealed a follicular adenoma within a capsulated lesion.
- The patient's anamnesis and blood tests did not indicate related pathologies.
Conclusions:
- Ectopic thyroid lesions should not be underestimated and require thorough investigation.
- Surgical management is crucial for accurate diagnosis and treatment, avoiding diagnostic uncertainty.
- Ectopic thyroid tissue carries a risk of developing adenoma or carcinoma, precluding a 'watch and wait' approach.
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