Ectopic multinodular Goitre—An unusual case

Abstract

Ectopic thyroid tissue is usually found in the midline along the path of descent of the thyroid gland, such as in the tongue, larynx, trachea, oesophagus, etc. Initially, laterally placed thyroid tissues were found to contain malignant tissue and hence the term lateral aberrant thyroid tumours. Some attributed these to metastatic deposits of primary thyroid carcinoma while others felt that these were primary tumours of aberrant thyroid tissue. In later years, benign ectopic thyroid tissues were described in the lateral neck. It was felt that ectopic thyroid tissues are derived from thyroid cell rests that have failed to fuse with the main thyroid tissue during development. They are subjected to the same goitrogenic stimulation as the normally placed thyroid tissue. Our case supports the view that not all laterally placed thyroid tissues are malignant and also presents an unusual subplatysmal location of ectopic thyroid tissue.