Ectopic thyroid malignancy in the midline of the neck (a case report and literature review)

A 71-year-old female presented with a midline neck mass. The clinical impression was that of a thyroglossal cyst but preoperative assessment suggested a solid lesion, possibly malignant. The mass was removed surgically using the Sistrunk technique and shown pathologically to be a mixed papillary-follicular carcinoma of the thyroid with no cystic elements. Clinically and radiologically the thyroid was normal and thyroidectomy was not performed. This management is discussed along with a brief review of the relevant literature on the pathology and treatment of similar lesions.