Lingual thyroid causing dysphonia: evaluation and management. Case report.
BACKGROUND
Lingual thyroid gland is a rare clinical entity that is caused by the failure of the thyroid gland to descend to a normal cervical location during embryogenesis. The occurrence of an ectopic thyroid gland located at the base of the tongue may cause problems for the patient, with symptoms of dysphagia, dysphonia, upper airway obstruction or even hemorrhage at any time from infancy through adulthood.


METHODS
We report on a case of lingual thyroid gland in a 41-year-old female patient. The embryology and diagnosis of ectopic thyroid are discussed and its management is outlined. Features of the diagnostic and therapeutic evaluation are described with attention to the clinical findings, laboratory tests, thyroid scan and computed tomography imaging studies employed in the confirmation of diagnosis and planning of appropriate treatment. The history of the condition is reviewed and a treatment strategy is outlined. Surgical excision of the gland is reserved for cases of gland enlargement that result in compromised airways (dysphagia or dysphonia) or recurrent hemorrhage.
Tincani
Alfio José
AJ
Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (Unicamp), Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil. alfiojt@terra.com.br
Martins
Antonio Santos
AS
Del Negro
André
A
Araújo
Priscila Pereira Costa
PP
Barretto
Gilson
G
D000328:Adult; D002828:Choristoma / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D013961:Thyroid Gland; D014060:Tongue Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D014832:Voice Disorders / Q000209:etiology*