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Congenital hypothyroidism - lingual thyroid

Case contributed by Frank Gaillard
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

Congenital hypothyroidism.

Patient Data

Age: 11 days old
Gender: Female

Thyroid scan

Nuclear medicine

Tc-99m Pertechnetate (37 MBq) was injected into a vein in the left foot. Images of the neck and chest were obtained. No normal thyroid uptake was seen in expected location in the neck just above the sternal notch. There was some faint increased activity seen at the level of the chin just behind the tongue. 

Thyroglossal duct

Diagram

The thyroglossal duct arises from foramen cecum located at the junction of anterior two thirds and posterior third of the tongue. From there it passes in front of the body of the hyoid bone, curving backwards and superiorly to reach behind the bone before once more turning inferiorly and continuing to the isthmus of the thyroid. 

Case Discussion

This case illustrates congenital hypothyroidism due to a small lingual thyroid. 

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