Accuracy of SPECT-CT Imaging in the Diagnosis of a Dual Ectopic Thyroid: A Case Report

Ectopic Thyroid is a rare condition associated with a failure of thyroid gland migration during embryonic development in which the thyroid tissue is in a site other than the pre-tracheal location. It may be asymptomatic or manifest as clinical or biological hypothyroidism. We report herein the case of a 9-year-old preadolescent girl, with no notable medical history addressed in nuclear medicine department for an exploration of a hypothyroidism with growth delay. The TSH level was at 22.6 μIU/ ml. The clinical examination found a girl in good condition, a weight of 15 kg (-3SD) and a height of 114 cm (-3SD). The physical examination and the cervical ultrasound did not found thyroid tissue in the thyroid lodge. The diagnosis CT scan concluded that there was no thyroid in the normal position with a doubt about the presence of thyroid tissue in upper cervical position on the left peri-laryngeal region. Thyroid scintigraphy showed an ectopic thyroid tissue in a high cervical position, with a fairly intense uptake but without the possibility of localization. A Complement with SPECT /CT imaging was performed and allowed the diagnosis of a dual ectopic thyroid tissue on basilingual and left peri-laryngeal position. This case testifies the accuracy of SPECT CT imaging in the diagnosis of a dual ectopic thyroid.