Intratracheal ectopic thyroid tissue: Case report and literature review

This case report includes a rare case of laryngo-tracheal ectopic thyroid tissue (ETT) in a 47-year-old woman who presented with shortness of breath that was initially diagnosed as asthmatic bronchitis. Endoscopic examination revealed a subglottic mass extending to the upper trachea; computed tomography (CT) confirmed the endoscopic findings, and showed pre-contrast density, and post-i.v. contrast enhancement pattern similar to thyroid. Biopsy of the subglottic mass was taken via direct laryngoscopy and histopathology report revealed ETT. The patient was operated through tracheolaryngeofissure with sub-mucosal dissection of the mass. Both clinical and endoscopic follow up showed that the patient had been free of disease for more than 2 years now following surgery.