8049 Beyond Metastasis: Parasitic Thyroid Tissue Mimicking Thyroid Cancer

Abstract Disclosure: M.S. Shah: None. S. Humayon: None. N.A. Mungo: None. This case study details a complex clinical scenario involving a patient with diaphoresis and a familial history of thyroid cancer. Initial suspicions of functionally active metastatic thyroid cancer led to a thyroidectomy and cervical lymph node dissection, only to reveal unexpected parasitic thyroid tissue. This case highlights the importance of meticulous evaluation and follow up similar presentations, shedding light on the rarity of this phenomenon.The patient, experiencing a year of diaphoresis unresponsive to estradiol therapy, underwent imaging revealing multiple thyroid nodules. A left superior nodule (TI-RADS 4) and a more concerning right mid-posterior nodule (TI-RADS 5) prompted fine needle aspiration (FNA). FNA of the right thyroid nodule exhibited Bethesda category III atypia, no molecular samples were taken at that time, while cervical lymph node FNA yielded nondiagnostic results.Subsequent ultrasound showed no interval change in the right thyroid nodule but raised concerns about increased solid components and decreased echogenicity in other nodules. Due to patient concerns of positive family history of thyroid cancer, the lymph node was biopsied. The result yielded a low cellular sample, but follicular thyroid tissue was present. The patient elected to undergo thyroidectomy as she did not want to continue monitoring. Pathology revealed parasitic thyroid tissue in the lymph node and nodular follicular thyroid disease, with no evidence of papillary thyroid carcinoma in the gland. Notably, the patient had no history of thyroid surgeries, ruling out traumatic rupture or implantation from a follicular adenoma. However, the possibility of follow-up metastatic follicular carcinoma cannot be entirely excluded on histologic grounds.Follow-up tests were recommended, encompassing mutational analysis, whole-body scans, and thyroglobulin (Tg) monitoring. Molecular analysis did not favor cancer. Tg levels remained at (18 ng/ml, n< 35ng/ml) of initial evaluation six weeks post surgery and repeat testing is pending. Ablative radioactive iodine therapy may be appropriate as resection of all parasitic thyroid tissue can prove difficult.This case emphasizes the diagnostic challenges posed by the rare occurrence of parasitic thyroid tissue, often mistaken for metastatic thyroid cancer. The findings contribute to our understanding of uncommon thyroid pathologies. The clinical implications of this case extend to the importance of heightened clinical suspicion in intricate endocrine cases. Presentation: 6/3/2024