Ectopic thoracic thyroid removed by uniportal VATS approach. A case report

Area of Science:

• Thoracic Surgery
• Endocrinology
• Surgical Oncology

Background:

• Ectopic thyroid gland is defined as thyroid tissue located outside its normal anatomical position, typically along the thyroglossal duct pathway.
• While ectopic thyroid is common in the neck, its occurrence in the mediastinum is rare.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report a case of hyperplastic cystic nodule of ectopic thyroid in the mediastinum.
• To highlight the feasibility and benefits of uniportal video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) for the resection of mediastinal ectopic thyroid tissue.

Main Methods:

• A 30-year-old female patient presented with abdominal pain and vomiting, leading to the discovery of a significant mediastinal mass via CT scan.
• The mediastinal lesion was surgically excised using a uniportal VATS technique, a minimally invasive approach.

Main Results:

• The hyperplastic cystic nodule of ectopic thyroid was successfully removed using uniportal VATS.
• The procedure resulted in reduced blood loss, a shorter hospital stay, and a small, aesthetically pleasing scar compared to traditional open surgery.

Conclusions:

• Uniportal VATS is a safe and effective minimally invasive technique for the resection of mediastinal lesions, including ectopic thyroid tissue.
• This approach offers significant advantages over conventional surgery, such as faster recovery and improved cosmetic outcomes.
• The study underscores the expanding application of VATS beyond pulmonary resections to include complex mediastinal interventions.