Dysfunctional ectopic thyroid gland: a case report.
BACKGROUND
Lingual thyroid gland is a rare anomaly of thyroid gland development, occurring more frequently in females. If it causes local symptomatology such as dysphagia, dysphonia or dyspnea it is diagnosed in childhood, however, if it is asymptomatic it is usually diagnosed in adulthood.


METHODS
We present a 23-year-old female patient in whom we diagnosed lingual thyroid gland coincidentally during diagnostic procedures of a concomitant disease. The application of 131I scintigraphy showed an oval field of intensive accumulation of radio markers in the zone of medial face line, around tongue base, with the absence of thyroid gland in its physiological position. Functional testing proved primary hypothyroidism and we started the application of substitution therapy. The application of levothyroxine resulted in reaching euthyroid state and the reduction of thyroid gland size.


CONCLUSIONS
We present a very rare anomaly of the thyroid gland, and so far there have been no clear attitudes about further treatment. The general condition of the patient, age, the size of ectopic thyroid gland and the existence of local symptomatology or complications represent the factors that have influence on the choice of treatment method.
Edita
E
Stokić
Vladimir
V
Kljajić
Stevan
S
Idjuški
Damir
D
Benc
Djordje
D
Popović
Mladjan
M
Protić
Veljko
V
Crnobrnja
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007037:Hypothyroidism; D050033:Thyroid Dysgenesis; D013961:Thyroid Gland / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000473:pathology; D055815:Young Adult