Submandibular ectopic thyroid gland: an uncommon presentation

Abstract

Background: Ectopic thyroid is a developmental anomaly of the thyroid gland of embryological origin. Instead of having a pretracheal situation, thyroid tissue is elsewhere, most commonly in the median cervical line along the course of the thyroglossal duct. Lingual thyroid is the most common presentation. Ectopic thyroid tissue in the submandibular region has been rarely reported. Case presentation: We report herein a case of a 65-year-old man admitted to our department with a complaint of a painless swelling in the left submandibular region. Conclusions: Thyroid gland ectopia should be considered among the differential diagnoses of submandibular swelling. Ectopic thyroid tissue can present with the same pathology affecting the normal thyroid gland such as malignancy and hyperthyroidism.