Published online Dec 6, 2020. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v8.i23.6172
Peer-review started: July 23, 2020
First decision: August 7, 2020
Revised: August 19, 2020
Accepted: September 25, 2020
Article in press: September 25, 2020
Published online: December 6, 2020
Processing time: 134 Days and 1.4 Hours
Ectopic thyroid is a rare developmental disorder, typically found in lingual areas, and most distantly in the abdomen. Thyroid ectopia in multiple regions is extremely rare. To date, there are no reports of ectopic goiter in four regions of the abdominal cavity in a single patient.
We present a case of thyroid ectopia in four areas of the abdomen, comprising normal orthotopic thyroid tissue. A 36-year-old woman, who underwent ovarian teratoma resection 10 years previously due to symptomatic ovarian teratoma, was referred to our hospital for treatment of an incidental hepatic mass. Magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen showed a heterogeneously enhanced lobulated lesion in the sixth and seventh hepatic segment adjacent to the diaphragm. The mass was surgically excised, and histologic examination determined an ectopic nodular goiter. At the one-year follow-up, the abdominal CT scan, whole-body radionuclide I131 examination, and abdominal wall biopsy showed similar lesions in the left renal fascia and anterior abdominal wall.
Multiple para-ectopic thyroid is often misdiagnosed, owing to its extremely rare incidence and non-specific clinical manifestations and imaging features. A combination of multiple examinations is necessary for diagnostic accuracy.
Core Tip: Ectopic thyroid glands in the abdomen are extremely rare, and the occurrence of ectopic thyroid tissues in multiple regions simultaneously is even rarer. However, it is best to diagnose ectopic thyroid, its function and location, before surgery. Additionally, abdominal metastasis due to thyroid cancer and ectopic thyroid cancer must be differentiated from benign lesions.