Ectopic thyroid tissue presenting as a submandibular mass

Abstract

Background To our knowledge, only three cases with ectopic submandibular thyroid have been reported. No patient with simultaneous presence of ectopic submandibular thyroid and normal thyroid gland has been reported. Literature on this topic is reviewed. Methods A 34-year-old woman with a longstanding asymptomatic right submandibular mass was evaluated by ecography, computer tomography scan, and fine-needle aspiration. Literature review was performed using EBSCO-Medine Results. The mass was hard, nontender, and not movable with swallowing. A fine-needle aspiration revealed hyperplastic thyroid tissue. A second ecographic-guided fine-needle aspiration confirmed cytologically ectopic thyroid tissue. A computer tomography scan showed a calcified mass with cystic areas beneath and medial to the submandibular gland. Rests of thyroid tissue lateral to the trajectory of thyroglossal duct were seen. Thyroid gland was atrophic. No metastatic lymph nodes were noted. Total serum thyroxine and triiodothyronine were normal. Basal and TRH-stimulated serum thyrotropin was suppressed. A 99Tc scintigraphy disclosed a nodular uptake of tracer in the submandibular area, and no uptake by normal thyroid. Conclusions We describe the first case, to our knowledge, with lateral multiple aberrant thyroid tissue and hypoplastic thyroid gland. HEAD & NECK 1996;18:87–90 © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.