Agenesis of the isthmus of the thyroid gland
Uğur Kesici1
, Sevgi Kesici2
1Department of General Surgery, Giresun University Faculty of Medicine, Giresun, Turkey
2Department of Anesthesiology and Reanimation, Giresun University Faculty of Medicine, Giresun, Turkey
Abstract
The thyroid is an endocrine gland composed of two lobes connected by the isthmus tissue. Thyroid isthmus agenesis is a rare condition, and only a few cases have been reported in the literature. Here, we discuss the case of a 56-year-old female patient in whom agenesis of the thyroid isthmus was discovered incidentally during surgery for a multinodular goitre. When agenesis of the isthmus is found, associated thyroid lobe agenesis and the presence of ectopic thyroid tissue must be considered. In addition, associated autoimmune thyroid nodule, thyroiditis, primary thyroid carcinoma, metastasis, and amyloidosis must be considered in the differential diagnosis. Preoperative awareness of potential agenesis of the isthmus and its associated thyroid anomalies in patients with planned thyroid surgery will significantly contribute to safety during surgical procedures and result in fewer surgery-related complications.
Keywords: Agenesis, isthmus, thyroid
Cite this paper as: Kesici U, Kesici S. Agenesis of the isthmus of the thyroid gland. Turk J Surg 2018; 34: 60-61.
Written informed consent was obtained from patient who participated in this case.
Externally peer-reviewed.
Concept - U.K.; Design - U.K., S.K.; Supervision - U.K., S.K.; Funding - U.K., S.K.; Materials - U.K.; Data Collection and/or Processing - U.K., S.K.; Analysis and/or Interpretation - U.K., S.K.; Literature Review - U.K., S.K.; Writer - U.K.; Critical Review - U.K., S.K.
No conflict of interest was declared by the authors.
The authors declared that this study has received no financial support.