Ectopic thyroid in the gallbladder accompanied with gallbladder adenoma: A case report

Medicine (Baltimore). 2019 Dec;98(50):e18293. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000018293.

Abstract

Rationale: Ectopic thyroid is most common in the tongue. Here we reported a rare case of thyroid tissue located in the gallbladder wall, accompanied with adenoma and a cyst lined with pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium in the neck region of gallbladder neck.

Patient concerns: A 39-year-old female presented with recurrent upper abdominal pain and radiating back pain.

Diagnoses: Based on ultrasonography, gallbladder polyps and calculous cholecystitis were suspected.

Interventions: The patient was treated by laparoscopic cholecystectomy, and thyroid tissue located in the gallbladder wall was found. Histopathological examination showed no features of papillary thyroid neoplasm.

Outcomes: The patient had no thyroid nodules or suspicious enlarged lymph nodes, and no other symptoms or complications by follow-up for 2.5 years up to September 2019.

Lessons: We should pay attention to the rare location of ectopic thyroid tissue in the gallbladder and rule out primary thyroid malignancy to avoid unnecessary overtreatment.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adenoma / complications
  • Adenoma / diagnosis*
  • Adenoma / surgery
  • Adult
  • Biopsy
  • Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic / methods
  • Choristoma / diagnosis*
  • Choristoma / surgery
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Gallbladder Neoplasms / complications
  • Gallbladder Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Gallbladder Neoplasms / surgery
  • Gallbladder*
  • Humans
  • Thyroid Diseases / complications
  • Thyroid Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Thyroid Diseases / surgery