Lingual thyroid: a review of 12 cases

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Surgical Oncology
• Head and Neck Surgery

Background:

• Lingual thyroid represents a rare congenital anomaly where thyroid tissue is located at the base of the tongue.
• Ectopic thyroid tissue can present diagnostic and therapeutic challenges.
• Understanding the behavior of ectopic thyroid tissue, including malignant transformation, is crucial for patient management.

Observation:

• A review of twelve patients with lingual thyroid was conducted.
• Two patients presented with follicular carcinoma within the ectopic lingual thyroid gland.
• Diagnostic confirmation was primarily clinical, supplemented by thyroid scans.

Findings:

• Both patients with follicular carcinoma in the lingual thyroid were successfully treated and remained well at 5 and 16 years post-treatment.
• Conservative management with thyroxine yielded good results in six patients.
• Surgical excision was performed in six patients, with two undergoing autotransplantation to the anterior abdominal wall.

Implications:

• Lingual thyroid carcinoma, though rare, can be effectively managed with appropriate treatment strategies.
• Thyroid scans are valuable for confirming the diagnosis of lingual thyroid.
• Conservative management with thyroxine or surgical intervention, including autotransplantation, are viable treatment options for lingual thyroid conditions.