[Latero-cervical thyroid tissue and congenital hypothyroidism revealed in adult age]

It is generally admitted that in front of tissues of thyroid origin found in latero-cervical position, the clinician should look for the presence of an occult thyroid carcinoma. This position is therefore against the diagnosis of lateral aberrant thyroids or benign metastatic thyroidosis that have been evocated in the past. We present the case of a 59 yr old woman in whom the diagnosis of benign latero-cervical mass of thyroid origin was made in association of an undiagnosed congenital hypothyroidism due to an ectopic thyroid gland in a sub-lingual position. This observation as well as recent published observations are in contrast with the current medical practices which should be discussed according to the location of the cervical mass and to precise histopathological features.