Dual-Site Thyroid Ectopy in a Mother and Son

Abstract

We found familial thyroid ectopy in a mother and son, each of whom had an anterior neck mass corresponding to a perihyoid ectopie thyroid. In addition, technetium scintigraphy revealed another focus of aberrant uptake at their tongue roots. Neither patient showed hypothyroid symptoms or abnormal biochemical data other than a mildly elevated TSH level in the son. No other member of the family had a thyroid disorder. To our knowledge this is the first documented instance of familial thyroid ectopy in multiple sites. The observed similarity in distribution of ectopic tissue suggests a hereditary pathogenic factor.