Massive bleeding from an ectopic lingual thyroid follicular adenoma during pregnancy

Ectopic thyroid is a rare developmental anomaly. It can be found anywhere between the foramen cecum and the normal position of the thyroid gland. Massive bleeding from an ectopic lingual thyroid is unusual and occasionally fatal. We present a case of a 22-year-old woman who had a large mass at the base of the tongue for over 6 years. In the sixth month of pregnancy, the patient experienced massive bleeding from the tongue base mass. A thyroid scan revealed that this mass was the only functioning thyroid tissue. Because of massive bleeding and her shock status, the patient received an emergent embolization of the bilateral lingual arteries. Then the huge lingual thyroid was subsequently excised via a mandible swing approach to prevent further episodes of bleeding. Pathology analysis indicated ectopic thyroid tissue with follicular adenoma. She delivered without complications in the 36th week and had a normal baby. This case was a very rare one in our review. Although ectopic lingual thyroid usually is not managed surgically, excision of ectopic lingual thyroid can be life-saving when it is causing bleeding or airway obstruction. Copyright 2002, Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.