Lateral Ectopic Thyroid Goiter with a Normally Located Thyroid

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Midline ectopic thyroid tissue is a common pathological entity. In contrast, laterally located ectopic thyroid tissue with a normally located thyroid gland is a very rare condition in head and neck surgery. SUMMARY: We report the association of laterally located multinodular thyroid tissue and a normally located multinodular goiter. A woman was seen in the otolaryngology clinic with a right submandibular mass. Clinical examination and investigations confirmed the presence of a multinodular goiter in an ectopic thyroid gland. CONCLUSION: Laterally located ectopic thyroid tissue is a very rare condition. Ectopic thyroid tissues can undergo the same pathological changes as a normally located thyroid gland. Ectopic thyroid goiter together with a normally located multinodular goiter is a rare entity, and this is the first to be reported in North America.