Follicular carcinoma in a lingual thyroid

Area of Science:

• Otolaryngology
• Endocrinology
• Surgical Oncology

Background:

• Thyroid cancer can present with unusual symptoms.
• Lingual thyroid tissue is a rare congenital anomaly.
• Referred otalgia can be a symptom of various head and neck pathologies.

Observation:

• A 40-year-old female presented with left-sided otalgia.
• The otalgia was attributed to a follicular carcinoma in a lingual thyroid.
• Normal thyroid tissue was present in the usual neck location.

Findings:

• Histological examination confirmed follicular carcinoma in the excised lingual thyroid mass.
• Surgical excision of the lingual mass led to complete resolution of the patient's otalgia.
• The diagnosis of lingual thyroid carcinoma was initially unsuspected.

Implications:

• This case underscores the importance of considering rare ectopic thyroid tissue in the differential diagnosis of unexplained otalgia.
• Early diagnosis and surgical management of lingual thyroid carcinoma can lead to favorable outcomes.
• Highlights the diverse clinical presentations of thyroid malignancies.