OBJECTIVE To explore the strategy of diagnosis and therapy of lingual ectopic thyroid(LET). METHODS We retrospectively reviewed the clinical data of6 cases of LET, and figured out the clinical features, imaging characteristics, therapy and prognosis.RESULTS 6 lingual ectopic thyroids were diagnosed by the Tc-99m thyroid static imaging; 3 cases accepted surgery, one only took oral levothyroxine, and one selected watch and see. 3 cases of lingual ectopic thyroid accepted the ectopic thyroid transposition and took oral levothyroxine postoperatively. Pharynx foreign body sensation and sleep snoring disappeared one month later. The lingual ectopic thyroid carcinoma resection was performed by direct laryngoscope in one case which was lost to follow up.CONCLUSION The thyroid static imaging is specific to the diagnosis of the LET. The indications of the surgery were obvious symptoms such as airway obstruction, snoring and pharyngeal foreign body sensation, and mass hemorrhage, cystic degeneration and carcinogenesis. The principle of therapy is to retain thyroid function as far as possible and comprehensive use of surgery, thyroid hormone replacement and iodine radiotherapy to improve symptoms, prevention and treatment of hypothyroidism.