A Decade of Experience of Management of Thyroglossal Duct Cyst in a Tertiary Care Hospital: Differentiation Between Children and Adults

Abstract

Variations in thyroglossal duct cysts (TGDCs) between children and adult are mentioned very little in literature. The lesion mostly found in children but adult population also possesses this anomaly. The aim of this study was to determine the differences in clinical presentations and surgical outcomes of TGDC between children and adults. A retrospective chart review of all patients with TGDCs managed in our hospital from July 2004 to June 2014. All records were reviewed for age, sex, location of cyst in neck and with relation to hyoid bone, size, postoperative complication and recurrence rates. Differences between children and adults were assessed. A total of 39 patients (21 children and 18 adults) were treated for TGDC. Of the pediatric group, 71.4% were male and 28.5% were female, whereas 72.2% of the adults were male and 27.7% were female. Adults were more likely to develop other complaints like neck pain, dysphagia and dyspnea. Position was almost similar in both age groups with midline and infrahyoid location while laterality was seen in adult only. Size of Cyst was found to be larger in adults. The recurrence and post operative complication rates between children and adults were not significantly different. TGDC has male predominance. Clinical presentations were almost similar in both age groups. 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.

Management of thyroglossal cyst in adults: A single-institution experience

“…The presence of other symptoms such as pain, odynophagia, dysphagia, and dyspnoea often indicates the presence of complications such as abscess formation. [ 6 10 ] Only one of the six patients in this study presented with such symptoms. Most patients in this series rather presented with long-standing painless anterior neck masses, with the majority presenting due to an increase in the size of the mass.…”

“…Reports in the literature have, however, remained discordant with some reporting equal distribution,[ 5 6 7 ] while others suggest male or female preponderance. [ 8 9 10 ]…”

Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma within Thyroglossal Duct Cyst: Case Series and Literature Review

“…Walter Ellis Sistrunk, in 1920, described a slightly more extensive procedure, which included cystectomy central hyoidectomy (removal of body of hyoid) and tract excision up to the base of the tongue. 1 8 This had lower recurrence rate when compared with the first procedure and is considered a gold standard for the treatment of TGDC to date.…”

“…Schlange, in 1893, first described the surgical procedure as excision of the cyst and a part of the hyoid bone. 8 This procedure had a high recurrence rate. Walter Ellis Sistrunk, in 1920, described a slightly more extensive procedure, which included cystectomy central hyoidectomy (removal of body of hyoid) and tract excision up to the base of the tongue.…”

Risks and complications of thyroglossal duct cyst removal

“…Previous studies have focused on the evaluation of morbidity and mortality of the Sistrunk procedure in children. Results of these studies did not demonstrate significant differences in recurrence and complication rates between children and adults . Although single‐site comparison studies have included adult cases, no large‐scale adult study has been performed.…”