Coexistence of a normal thyroid with a non-functional ectopic thyroid tissue: a case report with review

Background: Ectopic thyroid is not uncommon but presence of non-functional ectopic thyroid tissue in the neck with a coexisting normal thyroid is quiet rare. Case Presentation: A 10-year-old female presented with a mass in the anterior upper neck. The thyroid function tests of the patient were within normal limits. Ultrasonography revealed a normal thyroid gland and a solid mass in the midline of upper half of neck. Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) of swelling revealed thyroid tissue. Scintigraphy showed a normal thyroid and the mass didn’t show any uptake of 99m TcO 4 − . The mass was excised. Histopathology proved it as ectopic thyroid tissue. The patient had an uneventful recovery. Conclusion: Diagnosis of ectopic thyroid tissue poses dilemma to treating physician. In order to prevent misdiagnosis and mismanagement, it is mandatory to prove presence of normal thyroid tissue in lower neck with the help of 99m TcO 4 − scintigraphy.