Medical management of thyroid ectopia:report of three cases

Personalized Management of Malignant and Non-Malignant Ectopic Mediastinal Thyroid: A Proposed 10-Item Algorithm Approach

We aimed to analyze the management of the ectopic mediastinal thyroid (EMT) with respect to EMT-related cancer and non-malignant findings related to the pathological report, clinical presentation, imaging traits, endocrine profile, connective tissue to the cervical (eutopic) thyroid gland, biopsy or fine needle aspiration (FNA) results, surgical techniques and post-operatory outcome. This was a comprehensive review based on revising any type of freely PubMed-accessible English, full-length original papers including the keywords "ectopic thyroid" and "mediastinum" from inception until March 2024. We included 89 original articles that specified EMTs data. We classified them into four main groups: (I) studies/case series (n = 10; N = 36 EMT patients); (II) malignant EMTs (N = 22 subjects; except for one newborn with immature teratoma in the EMT, only adults were reported; mean age of 62.94 years; ranges: 34 to 90 years; female to male ratio of 0.9). Histological analysis in adults showed the following: papillary (N = 11/21); follicular variant of the papillary type (N = 2/21); Hürthle cell thyroid follicular malignancy (N = 1/21); poorly differentiated (N = 1/21); anaplastic (N = 2/21); medullary (N = 1/21); lymphoma (N = 2/21); and MALT (mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue) (N = 1/21); (III) benign EMTs with no thyroid anomalies (N = 37 subjects; mean age of 56.32 years; ranges: 30 to 80 years; female to male ratio of 1.8); (IV) benign EMTs with thyroid anomalies (N = 23; female to male ratio of 5.6; average age of 52.1 years). This panel involved clinical/subclinical hypothyroidism (iatrogenic, congenital, thyroiditis-induced, and transitory type upon EMT removal); thyrotoxicosis (including autonomous activity in EMTs that suppressed eutopic gland); autoimmune thyroiditis/Graves's disease; nodules/multinodular goiter and cancer in eutopic thyroid or prior thyroidectomy (before EMT detection). We propose a 10-item algorithm that might help navigate through the EMT domain. To conclude, across this focused-sample analysis (to our knowledge, the largest of its kind) of EMTs, the EMT clinical index of suspicion remains low; a higher rate of cancer is reported than prior data (18.8%), incident imagery-based detection was found in 10-14% of the EMTs; surgery offered an overall good outcome. A wide range of imagery, biopsy/FNA and surgical procedures is part of an otherwise complex personalized management.

[Clinical practice guidelines "Management of iodine deficiency disorders"]

Iodine deficiency disorders is a sweeping term that includes structural and functional impairment of the thyroid gland.These clinical guidelines include algorithms for the diagnosis and treatment of euthyroid goiter and nodular/ multinodular goiter in adults and children. In addition, these clinical guidelines contain information on methods for an adequate epidemiological assessment of iodine deficiency disorders using such markers as the percentage of goiter in schoolchildren, the median urinary iodine concentration, the level of neonatal TSH, the median thyroglobulin in children and adults. As well from these clinical guidelines, you can get to know the main methods and groups of epidemiological studies of iodine deficiency disorders.

Papillary Microcarcinoma of Sublingual Thyroid Gland: A Case Report

Ectopic thyroid gland is a rare condition where the thyroid is not placed in the pre-tracheal region. Majority of cases are commonly located at the lingual portion. The malignant shift of ectopic thyroid is considered a rare manifestation with a challenging surgical approach. Here we report our management and surgical approach of a patient with papillary microcarcinoma of sublingual thyroid gland presented to our facility.

LINGUAL THYROID: 35-YEAR EXPERIENCE AT A TERTIARY CARE REFERRAL CENTER

OBJECTIVE

Lingual thyroid (LT) results from a developmental abnormality due to failure of the thyroid gland to descend to its pretracheal position. Given the low incidence of this disease, standardized management recommendations are lacking. We aimed to describe our institution's experience in LT management and to suggest a practice algorithm.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective review of LT diagnosed at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, between 1976 and 2010. Demographics, clinical presentation, laboratory data, treatment received, and outcomes were collected.

RESULTS

We identified 29 patients with LT. Eighty-three percent were female; age at diagnosis ranged from 2 weeks to 68 years. Almost one-third of patients were symptomatic, with the most common symptoms being cough and hoarseness. The diagnosis of LT was incidental in 9 patients (31%). Seventy-two percent of patients developed hypothyroidism. Levothyroxine was the treatment of choice, followed by thyroidectomy. Two asymptomatic euthyroid patients were followed without any intervention.

CONCLUSION

Management of patients with LT should be individualized and guided by the patient's symptoms and thyroid hormone status.

Endoscopic surgical management of inspiratory stridor in newborns and infants

OBJECTIVE

Compare the incidence of endoscopic surgical treatment of patients with laryngomalacia to other aerodigestive pathology who may present with similar symptoms.

METHODS

Consecutive case series with chart review of endoscopic surgical intervention in infants, aged 12 months or less, presenting with inspiratory stridor, in the absence of syndromic condition or prior history of intubation.

RESULTS

A total of 30 patients were identified. The average age at the time of surgical intervention was 2.7 months. Endoscopic surgical management was directed at laryngomalacia (70%), vallecular cysts (23.3%), and anterior glottic webs (6.7%). All patients had nearly immediate resolution of the stridor and feeding difficulties. None required revision surgery, modified diets, or alternative means of enteric nutrition.

CONCLUSIONS

Laryngomalacia was the most commonly encountered surgical indication for stridulous newborns and infants with severe symptoms. Like most previous descriptions, patients responded well to supraglottoplasty. Vallecular cysts accounted for about one-quarter of the infants treated. Clinicians should carefully consider the presence of other airway pathology, which may mimic laryngomalacia, in non-syndromic infants without a previous history of intubation. Endoscopic surgical management may be safe and effective.

Pediatric thyroid nodules and malignancy

Proper management of pediatric thyroid nodules is crucial to achieving good outcomes. It is important to obtain a thorough history, including prior radiation exposure and family history of thyroid cancer and any symptoms of hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism. A complete physical examination with special attention to the thyroid gland and any cervical lymphadenopathy is important. Nodules between 5 and 10 mm with risk factors (clinical or sonographic) and all nodules greater than 10 mm should undergo a fine-needle aspiration biopsy. A comprehensive center of pediatric specialists is the best environment for treatment of these patients.

Acute neonatal respiratory distress caused by a lingual thyroid: the role of nasendoscopy and medical treatment

BACKGROUND

A lingual thyroid is a known cause of oropharyngeal obstruction in the neonate. It can be asymptomatic, or present as stridor, dysphonia, dysphagia or dyspnoea with faltering growth. The therapeutic options include surgical resection.

CASE REPORT

A 6-day-old female neonate, born at 36 weeks gestation, presented with stridulous breathing and poor feeding. Although the cause was initially thought to be laryngomalacia, nasendoscopy revealed a lingual thyroid. The baby had deranged thyroid function, as detected on neonatal screening, but this result was not available until a later date. Despite being symptomatic, the patient was managed medically; thyroxine therapy was associated with resolution of the respiratory symptoms.

CONCLUSION

Nasendoscopy provides valuable information about an ectopic thyroid gland. Thyroid replacement therapy may help to suppress the size of the ectopic gland and ultimately prevent an unnecessary surgical procedure.