LINGUAL THYROID

¹KSÜ Tıp Fakültesi, KBB Anabilim Dalı, Kahramanmaraş, Türkiye
²SSK Kahramanmaraş Hastanesi, KBB Kliniği, Kahramanmaraş, Türkiye Lingual thyroid, a developmental congenital anomaly, occurs as a result of complete or partial abnormal embryologic development of thyroid tissue. Imaging studies including ultrasonography (USG) and scyntigraphy are useful in confirming the diagnosis. In this study, we presented a case of lingual thyroid and reviewed the literature. A seven-year old female patient with a tongue base mass noticed by her mother during feeding was admitted to our clinic. Physical examination revealed a tongue base mass in the midline, which was not obliterating the oropharyngeal lumen. Scyntigraphic study showed “an ectopic lingual thyroid” in the tongue base but not a functioning thyroid tissue in the neck. USG revealed no thyroid tissue in the neck as well. Thyroid function tests were within normal range. Surgical exision was not recommended since the lingual mass was the only functioning thyroid gland and not leading to any complaint. It didn’t cause any problem during a follow-up period of two years. Lingual thyroid should be kept in mind in the differential diagnosis of masses of the tongue base. Keywords : Lingual thyroid, ectopic thyroid, scyntigraphy