Lingual thyroid and hypothyroidism. Report of a case in a middle aged woman.
There are approximately 400 reported cases of lingual thyroid (LT) with a clear cut prevalence in paediatric age. These glands are probably quantitatively deficient and function at marginal levels. Thyro-stimulating hormone (TSH) causes hypertrophy producing local symptoms and in younger patients may induce dangerous obstruction. The presumptive diagnosis is usually made by indirect laryngoscopy and thyroscintigraphy. The authors describe a case of LT in a middle aged patient in whom the anomaly remained undiscovered, being without local symptoms, and permitting a normal life. The discovery was made possible by the development in the last four years of a progressive, frank hypothyroidism, probably induced by silent thyroiditis into the ectopic gland.
Department of Internal Medicine USL 32, Ospedale di Casteldelpiano, Grosseto, Italy.
F
F
Borgoni
E
E
Liberatori
M
M
Giambagli
G
G
Galastri
L
L
Piccini
G
G
Parca
L
L
Patrizi
L
L
Tafi
P
P
Biagi
D000328:Adult; D002828:Choristoma / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007037:Hypothyroidism / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D013961:Thyroid Gland; D014060:Tongue Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis