Ectopic thymic carcinoid masquerading as a thyroid nodule.
A 26-year old woman presented with a thyroid nodule. Ultrasound and scintigraphy confirmed the presence of a 3.5-cm non-functioning mass in the left lobe. A fine needle aspiration demonstrated unusual, malignant-appearing cells, and thyroidectomy was performed. At gross pathological sectioning, the lesion was clearly attached to, but not part of, the thyroid. Microscopic features indicated an atypical carcinoid arising in a cervical remnant of the thymus. This appears to be the first case of ectopic thymic carcinoid presenting as a thyroid nodule.
Section of Endocrinology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06520, USA.
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Inzucchi
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Pfaff-Amesse
D000328:Adult; D002276:Carcinoid Tumor / Q000175:diagnosis*; D002828:Choristoma / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D016606:Thyroid Nodule / Q000175:diagnosis*