Dual Ectopic Thyroid: A Case Report and Review of Literature

Abstract

The ectopic thyroid gland is a rare clinical entity originates from the failure of the thyroid gland to descend from the foramen caecum to its normal eutopic pre-laryngeal site. It is further uncommon for two distinct ectopic thyroid tissues to be present simultaneously. We present a case of a 35-year-old lady, who has dual ectopic thyroid with symptoms of dysphagia. As the clinical presentations were non-specific following a series of negative investigations, she was treated as functional dyspepsia. The eventual diagnosis was reached only after performing an ultrasound of the neck, contrast-enhanced CT scan, and thyroid scintigraphy. Its management is still controversial; generally surgery is aim to alleviate bothering symptoms of obstruction. Asymptomatic patients are managed with thyroxine supplements, aiming for clinical improvement of symptoms and gland size reduction. This case report will address concerns of managing dual ectopic thyroid.