Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: Thyroid ectopia is a rare pathology linked to a migration defect of the thyroid gland during its embryonic development. It is most often asymptomatic, but can be revealed by dysthyroidism, or a cervical or thoracic mass. We report the case of an ectopic thyroid revealed by a mediastinal mass.

Observation: 61-year-old patient, with no particular history, followed for a plunging multi-hetero-nodular goiter which cervical ultrasound showed an enlarged thyroid, whose largest nodule was on right lobe measuring 12 x 18 x 29 mm classified EUTIRADS 3, and the most pejorative on left lobe measuring 11 x 16 x 22 mm classified EUTIRADS 5. Cervicomediastinal CT showed an anterior mediastinal mass with CT characteristics similar to those of the thyroid parenchyma. The patient underwent a total thyroidectomy with resection of the mediastinal mass. The anatomo-pathological examination noticed a multinodular thyroid dystrophy, and on the mediastinal mass a dystrophic thyroid nodule, without signs of malignancy.

Conclusion: Pathological changes that affect normal ectopic thyroid can occur in ectopic tissue. Hence the importance of long-term clinical and biological monitoring and possible fine needle biopsy of ectopic thyroid tissue.