Unilateral Thyroid Hypoplasia With Isthmic Absence and Presence of Pyramidal Lobe and Levator Glandulae Thyroidae: A Cadaveric Case Report.

The thyroid gland is a very essential endocrine gland as it regulates the growth and development of individuals, along with controlling metabolism. However, oftentimes, it is subjected to congenital anomalies, like agenesis of its isthmus, hypoplasia, presence of the pyramidal lobe, and a fibro-muscular strip called levator glandulae. These anomalies may culminate in various complications during and after thyroid surgeries. This underscores the importance of these anomalies for thyroid surgeries. The aim of the study is to describe the congenital anomalies, i.e., hypoplasia, agenesis of isthmus, presence of the pyramidal lobe, and levator glandulae thyroidae. During a routine dissection of the head and neck for first-year MBBS students, the authors detected hypoplasia, agenesis of isthmus, presence of the pyramidal lobe, and levator glandulae thyroidae in a male cadaver of 60 years. The occurrence of these anomalies in the same individual is a rare finding. The hypoplasia of one lobe usually is asymptomatic but sometimes may be linked to hypothyroidism. Similarly, individuals with absent isthmus are euthyroid but may be associated with hypo- or hyperthyroidism. Similarly, the pyramidal lobe, if left behind, may be affected by the same diseases again, for which thyroidectomy was performed. Hence, detailed knowledge of these congenital anomalies is of immense use to thyroid surgeons to minimize intra- and postoperative complications.