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Lingual thyroid: diagnosis using a hybrid of single photon emission computed tomography and standard computed tomography

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 January 2013

J Dolezal ,
J Vizda ,
J Horacek  and
S Spitalnikova
J Dolezal*
Affiliation:
Department of Nuclear Medicine, Charles University in Praque, Faculty of Medicine in Hradec Kralove and Charles University Teaching Hospital, Hradec, Kralove, Czech Republic
J Vizda
Affiliation:
Department of Nuclear Medicine, Charles University in Praque, Faculty of Medicine in Hradec Kralove and Charles University Teaching Hospital, Hradec, Kralove, Czech Republic
J Horacek
Affiliation:
Second Department of Internal Medicine, Charles University in Praque, Faculty of Medicine in Hradec Kralove and Charles University Teaching Hospital, Hradec, Kralove, Czech Republic
S Spitalnikova
Affiliation:
Department of Nuclear Medicine, Hospital Havlickuv Brod, Czech Republic
*
Address for correspondence: Associate Professor Jiri Dolezal, Department of Nuclear Medicine, Charles University Teaching Hospital, Sokolska 581, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic, 50005 Fax: +420 495834512 E-mail: dolezal@fnhk.cz
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Abstract

Aim:

To present a rare case of lingual thyroid detected using a hybrid of single photon emission computed tomography and standard computed tomography in a young woman with hypothyroidism.

Materials and methods:

A 29-year-old woman was screened for autoimmune thyroid disorders in early pregnancy, and found to have subclinical hypothyroidism. No thyroid tissue was found in the anterior neck upon ultrasonography, raising suspicions of an ectopic thyroid. The patient was treated with levothyroxine throughout the remainder of her pregnancy, and developed postpartum thyroiditis requiring an increase in levothyroxine dosage. Whole-body scintigraphy and zoomed static head and neck scintigraphy were performed. Abnormal 99mTc-pertechnetate uptake was observed in the oral region, whereas no uptake was found in the usual thyroid location. Hybrid imaging using single photon emission computed tomography and standard computed tomography was performed to improve three-dimensional representation of the area of increased activity.

Results:

The latter imaging modality detected ectopic thyroid tissue in the tongue.

Conclusion:

Whole body 99mTc-pertechnetate scintigraphy and a hybrid of single photon emission computed tomography and standard computed tomography are effective imaging modalities for the investigation of ectopic thyroid tissue. The latter modality is particularly recommended, as it allows more precise spatial visualisation of increased isotope uptake activity in the head and neck.

Keywords

Thyroid GlandThyroid DysgenesisLingual ThyroidDiagnosisTomographyEmission-ComputedSingle Photon
Type
Clinical Records
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 127 , Issue 4 , April 2013 , pp. 432 - 434
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2013

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