Submandibular ectopic multinodular goiter: case report and literature review

Abstract

Ectopic thyroid is an uncommon congenital disorder with a prevalence between 1/100,000- 1/300,000. In 90% of cases, it is placed in cervical midline, being the cases of lateral cervical ectopic thyroid very infrequent. We present the case of a 44-year-old female patient who had a left submandibular mass during more than six months. Imaging tests (ultrasound, computed tomography and scintigraphy) suggested a multinodular ectopic goiter; fine need- le aspiration (FNA) reported thyroid tissue without atypia (Bethesda II) and the thyroid hormone blood tests were normal, finally orienting the case as a euthyroid submandibular ectopic multinodular goiter. In the absence of symptoms and signs suggestive of malignancy, together with an FNA with benign characteristics, it was decided to follow up. When the patient presented clinical symptoms due to mass effect, it was decided to perform excision of the lesion, which confirmed the diagnosis of ectopic multinodular goiter. There are very few cases described in the literature of submandibular ectopic multinodular goiter as the only functioning thyroid tissue. Ectopic thyroid should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a submandibular mass. Although there is currently no consensus on the management of this pathology, the growth of the mass may contribute to the decision of a complete excision of the ectopic thyroid, even if it is the only functioning thyroid tissue.