[Dysphagia secondary to lingual thyroid].

Background: Lingual thyroid is a rare developmental anomaly originating from aberrant embryogenesis during descent of the gland from its site of origin, the foramen caecum, to its eutopic location.

Objective: We present the case of a 30-year-old female with a history of dysphagia and pharyngeal foreign body sensation over the past 12 months, associated with hypothyroidism.

Methods: Diagnostic and therapeutic approaches are discussed.

Results: Diagnosis of lingual thyroid was made and transoral thyroidectomy was performed as procedure-of-choice. Microscopic analysis revealed normal thyroid tissue with abundant colloid. The patient had an uneventful recovery and was discharged 2 days after surgery. Gamma-gram with Tc99m was scheduled for postoperative follow-up.

Conclusions: Transoral lingual thyroidectomy followed by life-long hormonal therapy is the appropiate approach for patients with severe symptoms due to lingual thyroid hypertrophy associated with hypothyroidism.