[Ectopic thyroid tissue after total thyroidectomy].

Ectopic thyroid gland tissue can occur either as the only detectable thyroid gland tissue or in addition to a normotopic thyroid gland. After a total thyroidectomy thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) can induce a compensatory volume increase of previously asymptomatic ectopic tissue. This hyperplastic ectopic tissue can occur as an unclear cervical space-occupying lesion. Prior to surgical exploration of an unclear cervical mass the possibility of ectopic thyroid tissue should be included in the differential diagnostic considerations.