What is the most common site for thyroglossal cyst?

The most common location for a thyroglossal cyst is midline or slightly off midline, between the isthmus of the thyroid and the hyoid bone or just above the hyoid bone. A thyroglossal cyst can develop anywhere along a thyroglossal duct, though cysts within the tongue or in the floor of the mouth are rare.

What is inside a thyroglossal duct cyst?

A thyroglossal duct cyst is a mass or lump in the front part of neck that is filled with fluid. While a baby is developing in the womb, the thyroid gland begins at the base of the tongue.

How is thyroglossal duct cyst diagnosed?

Healthcare providers diagnose a thyroglossal duct cyst by examining your or your child’s throat and by performing an ultrasound to determine the cyst’s size.

What is a lingual thyroglossal duct cyst?

A thyroglossal duct cyst (TGDC) is a common embryological remnant that typically presents as an anterior neck mass; however, this malformation can occur in any adjacent area, including the tongue base (lingual type), along the migration path of the thyroid during embryonic development.

How can you tell the difference between a thyroglossal cyst and a branchial cyst?

The distinguishing features between a thyroglossal duct cyst versus a branchial cleft cyst include presentation of the mass, with thyroglossal duct cysts more likely to be midline neck masses while branchial cleft cysts are typically lateral neck masses, and frequency of infection, branchial cleft cyst are more likely …

Why is hyoid bone removed in sistrunk?

Surgical removal of the thyroglossal cyst is indicated because the cysts are prone to infection, and for cosmetic and aesthetic reasons. In rare instances, thyroglossal cysts may be malignant.

How can you tell the difference between a Thyroglossal cyst and a branchial cyst?

How common is thyroglossal duct cyst in adults?

Thyroglossal duct cyst (TDC) is the most common congenital anterior neck mass in clinical practice. Due to its congenital origin, presentation in adulthood is uncommon with only 7% of cases presenting in this age group.

How serious is a Thyroglossal cyst?

Thyroglossal duct malformations are usually small enough that they don’t have a significant impact on your health. However, if the mass is large enough, it may block your airways. This leads to difficulty breathing and swallowing.

What is the most common congenital neck mass?

The most common congenital head and neck masses are dermoid cysts, branchial cleft cysts and thyroglossal duct cysts. Dermoid cysts are usually found on the scalp, face or neck.

What are branchial clefts?

Branchial cleft cysts (also called branchial cleft remnants or branchial cleft anomalies) are a congenital condition (condition present at birth) in which tissue develops incorrectly on one or both sides of the neck. Branchial cleft cysts sometimes have openings on the inside or outside of the skin called sinus tracts.

Is Sistrunk procedure safe?

Although lateral deviation, increase size of cyst and recurrences were seen in adults only, Sistrunk procedure is recommended as a safe and standard surgical treatment in both age groups. Complications that do occur are minor and wound related.

Is it necessary to remove thyroglossal duct cyst?

Thyroglossal duct cysts are typically removed through surgical excision. However, if the cyst is infected, a surgical procedure should not be done until the infection is treated. Removing an infected cyst without adequately treating the infection can result in a more difficult surgery.

Can a Thyroglossal cyst be cancerous?

Malignancy occurs in about 1% of thyroglossal duct cysts and arises slightly more often in women [19]. The mean age of patients is in the fourth decade of life, and the tumor can be located anywhere along the embryological route of descent of the thyroid gland [16].

What is the impact on the health of person with thyroglossal duct cyst?

Risks of a Thyroglossal Duct Cyst Thyroglossal duct malformations are usually small enough that they don’t have a significant impact on your health. However, if the mass is large enough, it may block your airways. This leads to difficulty breathing and swallowing.

Can Thyroglossal cyst become cancerous?

The presence of malignancy occurring in a thyroglossal duct cyst is a rare condition, accounting only for 1% of all cases of thyroglossal duct cyst. This report is of a rare case of papillary carcinoma arising in a thyroglossal duct cyst and includes a review of the literature.

What causes Thyroglossal cyst in adults?

What causes a thyroglossal duct cyst? A thyroglossal duct cyst is a congenital (present from birth) defect. When the thyroid gland forms during embryonic development, it begins at the base of the tongue and moves down the neck through a canal called the thyroglossal duct.

How many branchial clefts are there?

Four branchial clefts (also called “grooves”) form during the development of a human embryo.

What is a First branchial cleft cyst?

First branchial cleft cysts develop as a result of the incomplete fusion of the cleft between the first and second branchial arches (see branchial apparatus). There may be a sinus with drainage to the external ear or skin. They typically occur within or close to the parotid gland or external auditory canal.

Is Sistrunk procedure major surgery?

Thyroglossal duct cyst (TDC) is the most common cause of congenital midline cervical mass [1]. The anatomical location of the cyst is intimately close to the hyoid bone. The latter is a major surgical landmark for Sistrunk’s procedure, which remains the reference surgical treatment [2].

What is intra-thyroid thyroglossal duct cyst?

Thyroglossal duct cyst is the most common congenital cyst in the head and neck, which is defined usually occurring in children. However, intra-thyroid thyroglossal duct cyst in an adult is unusually found.

Should thyroglossal duct cysts be excluded from the differential diagnoses of thyroid nodules?

Although pathogenesis of an alone thyroglossal duct cyst in the left inferior pole of the thyroid remains unknown, our case could suggest thyroglossal duct cyst should not be excluded in the differential diagnosis of lateral neck masses especially when it simulates nodules in the thyroid.

What type of epithelial tissue is in a thyroglossal duct cyst?

Thyroglossal duct cyst. The epithelial lining of the cyst varies with location. Those that form near the tongue are lined by stratified squamous epithelium. The more common cysts located in the neck are lined with cells similar to thyroidal acinar epithelium.

What does a suprahyoid thyroglossal duct cyst look like on CT?

On imaging, suprahyoid thyroglossal duct cysts are generally midline simple or complex cystic structures, while infrahyoid cysts are commonly paramedian in location. CT will show a smooth, thin-walled hypoattenuating mass (Figs. 2 and