[Ectopic thyroid and late-onset functional deficit of the thyroid gland].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate retrospectively the incidence of ectopic thyroid gland causing hypothyroidism in patients referred to "Di Venere" Hospital, Bari.


METHODS
Over a period of 14 years, ectopic thyroid gland has been detected by thyroid scan in 56 out of 122 patients with hypothyroidism due to congenital thyroid abnormalities. Of these 56 patients, 48 were < 1 year old, 2 were < 2 years old, while 8 with late onset of the disease were 7 to 35 years old.


RESULTS
Among the eight patients with late onset hypothyroidism, 3 had normal serum levels of thyroid hormones at birth. Overall, an ectopic thyroid gland was observed in 6 out of 32 (18.7%) patients with hypothyroidism beginning between 2.5 and 14 years of age.


CONCLUSIONS
Thyroid scan is a safe and effective procedure in the diagnosis of ectopic thyroid gland in neonatal patients. It should be recommended as neonatal screening in order to prevent irreversible damage to central nervous system.
dell'Erba
L
L
Ospedale Di Venere, Bari, Italia.
Cavallo
T
T
Gabrieli
G C
GC
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002828:Choristoma; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007037:Hypothyroidism / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D013959:Thyroid Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D013997:Time Factors
Ectopia tiroidea e deficit funzionale tiroideo ad esordio tardivo.