Ectopic thyroid mass adherent to the oesophagus

Abstract

A 51-year-old female presented with a sensation of a lump in the throat for five months. Clinical examination was normal. The barium swallow and the CT scan showed a well-defined mass to the left of the upper oesophagus and behind it. The mass was removed surgically and shown pathologically to be a nodule of ectopic thyroid tissue. This very rare pathology is discussed together with a review of the relevant literature.