Ectopic lingual thyroid with subclinical hypothyroidism in children

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Head and Neck Surgery

Background:

• Lingual thyroid is a rare congenital condition where thyroid tissue is located at the base of the tongue.
• It affects approximately 1 in 100,000 individuals and can remain asymptomatic or present with symptoms like dysphagia and dyspnea.

Observation:

• Three adult patients presented with symptoms of sore throat or foreign body sensation.
• All patients had normal newborn screening and developmental histories.
• They were diagnosed with lingual thyroid and exhibited subclinical hypothyroidism.

Findings:

• Subclinical hypothyroidism is a frequent comorbidity in patients with lingual thyroid.
• Thyroid hormone suppressive therapy demonstrated efficacy in reducing the size of the ectopic thyroid tissue.
• Hormone therapy also led to improvement in patient-reported symptoms.

Implications:

• Thyroid hormone suppressive therapy is a viable treatment option for lingual thyroid, potentially avoiding surgery.
• Monitoring for glandular enlargement and symptom persistence is crucial for determining the need for surgical intervention.
• Early recognition and management of lingual thyroid, even in adulthood, can improve patient outcomes.