Primary mediastinal ectopic thyroid in a 43-year-old woman: A diagnostic and surgical challenge - a case report and literature review.
Zheng Wang, Shuo Liang, Kunpeng Li et al.
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Case in brief
A 43-year-old woman presented with an asymptomatic anterior mediastinal mass discovered on routine chest CT. Imaging revealed a 49 x 37 x 56 mm irregular soft-tissue lesion with thyroid-like enhancement and no continuity with the cervical thyroid. Surgical resection via median sternotomy was performed, confirming benign ectopic thyroid tissue. Postoperatively, the patient had an uneventful recovery, with no recurrence at 11 months follow-up.
What made this case unusual
The case highlights the importance of distinguishing primary mediastinal ectopic thyroid from other anterior mediastinal masses, given its atypical imaging features and lack of cervical continuity.
Diagnostic / clinical pearl
Clinicians should consider primary mediastinal ectopic thyroid in the differential diagnosis of hypervascular anterior mediastinal masses, especially when imaging shows thyroid-like enhancement.
Why it matters
Understanding the vascular anatomy through preoperative CTA can significantly aid in surgical planning and management of ectopic thyroid cases.