Basilingual ectopic-thyroid goiter

Introduction. Ectopic thyroid is a rare pathology characterized by thyroid tissue, located outside of the normal area. The aim of this study was to report a case of a basilingual ectopic-thyroid goiter and to present clinical, paraclinical, and treatment aspects. Case report. A 45-year-old woman presented with a mass located at the base of the tongue-hampering deglutition. A CT-scan revealed a tissular tumour. The biopsy proved this to be thyroid tissue. Cervical ultrasonography did not show the thyroid gland in normal location. A complete exeresis was performed by suprahyoid-surgical approach. The histopathological examination confirmed a nonmalignant ectopic goiter. Discussion. The etiology of ectopic thyroid is unknown. The location is possible anywhere on the pathway used during the course of embryonal development between the base of the tongue and the normal location. Scintigraphy is the best examination to detect ectopic-thyroid tissues and to show the absence of the thyroid in its normal location. The treatment for basilinguale-ectopic thyroid is surgery. If necessary, a medical treatment is associated. The surgical approach and preoperative tracheotomy are chosen according to volume, tumoral extension, and operative risks. (c) 2008 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.