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Radiologically detected intranodal thyroid tissues in ipsilateral cervical lymph nodes after hemithyroidectomy in a
Wai Kit Kung1, Ka Man Chu1, Kin Fen Kevin Fung2
1Department of Radiology and Imaging, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Hong Kong SAR, China.
Insights
Intranodal thyroid tissue can appear in cervical lymph nodes after thyroid surgery. This rare finding on imaging mimics cancer metastasis, requiring careful radiological assessment.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Surgical Pathology
- Radiology
Background:
- Multinodular goiter is a common thyroid condition often treated with hemithyroidectomy.
- Cervical lymph node evaluation is crucial for staging thyroid cancer and assessing treatment response.
Observation:
- A rare case of intranodal thyroid tissue was observed in the ipsilateral cervical lymph nodes of an adolescent patient post-hemithyroidectomy.
- The presence of ectopic thyroid tissue within lymph nodes was identified using ultrasonography and computed tomography.
Findings:
- Intranodal thyroid tissue in cervical lymph nodes is an uncommon post-surgical finding.
- Radiological imaging (ultrasonography, CT) can detect this anomaly.
- This finding can be mistaken for lymph node metastasis.
Implications:
- Accurate radiological interpretation is essential to differentiate intranodal thyroid tissue from metastatic disease.
- Understanding this rare entity aids in avoiding unnecessary invasive procedures or treatments.
- This case contributes to the literature on benign cervical lymph node pathologies following thyroid surgery.
Abstract:
This case report illustrates the presence of intranodal thyroid tissues in ipsilateral cervical lymph nodes after hemithyroidectomy for multinodular goiter in an adolescent patient. It highlights the rare radiological finding of thyroid tissues within cervical lymph nodes detected by ultrasonography and computed tomography, which is a great mimicker of nodal metastasis.
