Ectopic lymphocytic thyroiditis: A case report and treatment options

Abstract

Irami Araújo-Filho, Amália Cínthia Meneses Rêgo, Francisco Irochima Pinheiro

The presence of ectopic thyroid tissue is a rare entity. Non-gland migration occurs during the early stages of embryogenesis to the normal cervical location. Thus, ectopic tissue is lodged, in general, in the path of the thyroglossal duct in the middle line of the neck. The most common location is in the lingual zone, being the lingual thyroid. This, in most cases, will be asymptomatic. However, it is able to manifest itself with symptoms of dysphagia, dysphonia, obstruction of the upper airways or hemorrhage at any moment between childhood and adulthood. This article is a review of this disease, targeting mainly conduct, still very controversial in the literature.