A case of intratracheal ectopic thyroid

Intratracheal ectopic thyroid tissue is a rare cause of upper respiratory obstruction. The first symptom may be a wheeze, so it can be mistaken for asthma. A 45-year-old female was admitted to our hospital with gradually progressive dyspnea over a period of 1 year. CT scan showed a tumor in the tracheal lumen subglottically with about 90% narrowing. The patient underwent bronchoscopy which demonstrated a broad-based, smooth, round and submucosal mass from the left posterolateral tracheal wall. A biopsy was deferred because the tumor demonstrated hypervascularity. A tracheostomy was performed, and a biopsy was undertaken via an open tracheal approach under general anesthesia. Histopathology confirmed benign thyroid tissue. The tumor was diagnosed as intratracheal ectopic thyroid and resected from trachea. The patient has done well for 2 years after surgery.