Obstructive lingual thyroid; suprahyoid intracervical surgical procedure - A case report

The treatment of lingual thyroid is controversial and should be individualized. Options include hormonal replacement, surgery in the presence of bleeding and obstruction of the airway and the digestive tract, and radioisotope therapy.

8-year-old girl presenting with discomfort when swallowing. A pink, well-vascularized mass, not painful or ulcerated, protruding from the base of the tongue and virtually closing the whole oropharynx, was observed. Absence of thyroid tissue in its normal position was reported by the ultrasound department. Cervical computed axial tomography confirmed the diagnosis and the presence of pharyngeal obstruction. Thyroid hormone replacement was established. As a result of dysphagia symptom progression, surgery was indicated. Thyroid removal was performed by means of a cervicotomy, with re-implantation of thyroid tissue laminas. The postoperative course was uneventful and replacement treatment was maintained, with an excellent clinical status four years later.