Ectopic lingual thyroid as unusual cause of severe dysphagia

Ectopic lingual thyroid is an uncommon embryological aberration characteriz ed by the presence of thyroid tissue located in a site different from the p retracheal region as in the normal. Lingual thyroid is the most frequent ec topic location of the thyroid gland, although its clinical incidence varies between 1:3000 and 1:10,000. We present the case of a 26-year-old woman wh o presented severe dysphagia caused by a mass located on the base of the to ngue in the midline. An endoscopic partial removal of the ectopic tissue al lowed her to rapidly regain her swallowing capacity. The literature regardi ng the incidence and diagnosis of lingual thyroid is reviewed and the possi bilities of treatment discussed.