An Unusual Posterior Mediastinal Mass - Ectopic Thyroid within the Oesophagus

Abstract

Presence of ectopic thyroid tissue in unusual locations is a rare phenomenon. Herein we present the case of a 55 year old lady, who on evaluation of dyspnoea was detected to have a mediastinal mass. Initial radiological evaluation showed the presence of a mass arising from the wall of the oesophagus which was presumed most likely to be leiomyosarcoma. She underwent surgical resection of the mass, but on histopathological examination, it turned out to be a nodular goiter which was lying within the smooth muscle layer of the oesophageal wall.