Ectopic Thyroid on Scintigraphy

Ectopic thyroid is a rare condition that involves aberrant embryogenesis of the thyroid primordium during its descent from the foramen caecum to its final pretracheal position. Ectopic thyroid tissue can be found around its route of migration, in the mediastinum and subdiaphragmatic areas. Histologically, ectopic thyroid resembles normal thyroid parenchyma. Preoperative recognition of the presence of ectopia is crucial for the surgeon when completing a thyroidectomy. Ectopic thyroid tissue left behind during total thyroidectomy may jeopardise treatment outcome and cause monitoring conflict. This article shares our nuclear findings that will aid awareness of ectopic thyroid tissue.