Thyroid hemiagenesis with papillary carcinoma: a case report with literature review

The coexistence of thyroid hemiagenesis (THA) and papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is an exceedingly rare condition. This report presents a case of THA with PTC. A 36-year-old woman presented with a one-month history of dyspnea.

On examination, the thyroid gland appeared asymmetrical. Neck ultrasound revealed a hypoechoic nodule in the right lobe, classified as Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System (TI-RADS) 4. The isthmus and left thyroid lobe were not visualized, suggesting THA.

A right thyroid lobectomy was performed, and histopathological examination revealed PTC. Of the 7 reviewed cases of THA with PTC, left lobe agenesis was observed in 4 patients and right lobe agenesis in 3. Fine-needle aspiration cytology was performed in 3 cases, all of which confirmed malignancy.

Five cases underwent thyroidectomy, and two underwent lobectomy. The recovery in all cases was satisfactory. Although the coexistence of THA and PTC is extremely rare, the possibility should not be overlooked.