The scintigraphic visualization of a lingual thyroid after excision of associated ectopic thyroid tissue

The scintigraphic findings in a 2-year-old boy with both a lingual thyroid and ectopic thyroid tissue in the neck are presented. One day following excision of the neck mass, no functioning thyroid tissue was seen. However, one month later, the lingual gland was well visualized. The possible reason for this is discussed.