MANAGEMENT OF ECTOPIC THYROID-NODULES

Background. Surgical dictum states that the so-called lateral aberrant thyroid represents metastatic thyroid cancer. Methods and Results. We present sixteen cases of patients with benign ectopic thyroid tissue. Seven cases were discovered during evaluation and treatment of hyperp arathyroidism. The remaining nine cases were discovered during the eva luation and treatment of thyroid disorders or cervical nodules. In fif teen cases there is benign histology on the nodules. One case has been followed for 4 years with scans revealing a normal thyroid gland with an unchanging ectopic thyroid nodule in the superior mediastinum. In eight of our cases there have been thyroid resections searching for oc cult carcinomas. Histologic examination on these eight thyroid glands revealed either normal thyroid or benign nodules.Conclusions. Not all lateral aberrant thyroid tissue is malignant. The histologic condition of the nodule combined with intraoperative examination of the ipsilat eral thyroid lobe can reliably guide therapy. The old dictum concernin g lateral aberrant thyroid representing metastatic cancer should be re moved from or modified in review texts and surgical examinations.