Thyroglossal Duct Cyst in the Suprasternal Region

Abstract

A thyroglossal duct cyst (TGDC) is the most common congenital anterior neck mass. It can develop from residual tissue not degenerated during development and is mainly diagnosed in pediatric patients. However, a TGDC is sometimes diagnosed for the first time in adult patients. A TGDC is mainly caused by repeated infections of the duct and there might be no specific symptoms. A TGDC can occur anywhere from the floor of the mouth to the thyroid but is most often found at the infrahyoid level. Over the past 10 years, there has been no report of a TGDC in the suprasternal region among TGDCs in unusual locations. This paper describes one case of a suprasternal TGDC with a review of the literature on this topic.

Nasopalatine Duct Cyst Treated by Transnasal Endoscopic Marsupialization: A Case Report

“…It is important to assess the risk of nerve damage before determining the extent of resection, as NDCs can vary in size and location. 14 , 15 In this case, the NPC has a diameter of 51 mm. The largest NPC reported in the literature was 58 mm and treated by transnasal endoscopic marsupialization.…”

Thyroglossal duct cyst on the suprasternal region: An extremely unusual location

“…A thyroglossal duct cyst refers to the appearance of a cyst like swelling when residual thyroid tissue remains from the root of the tongue (foramen cecum of tongue) to the anterior sub-hyoid bone during the descent of the thyroid gland [ 5 ]. Thyroglossal duct cysts are 85 % of the time found in juxtaposition to the hyoid bone, but can be found anywhere along the descent path of the thyroid gland [ 6 ].…”

“…In the present case, the patient had difficulty breathing and pain and the swelling didn't move upward with tongue protrusion. In pediatric patients, ultrasonography can be a valuable tool as a diagnostic modality and usually shows a well defined anechoic to hypoechoic structure with posterior through transmission [ 5 ].…”

“…Cysts in the suprasternal area can easily be mistaken with a non-specific thyroid gland enlargement (Goiter) as it is the most frequent diagnosis [ 3 ]; some of the differentials based on the location of the swelling include dermoid and epidermoid cysts, branchial cleft cysts, laryngocele, thymus gland cysts, malformations of the lymphatic system, and lymph nodes which are necrotic [ 5 ]. When TGDCs occur in middle age individuals like our patient, the challenges of settling the diagnosis are doubled.…”

“…Local cyst excision on the other hand, is associated with an increased risk of recurrence [ 9 ]. In the absence of a duct during surgery, only the cystic mass is excised [ 5 ]. We didn't find a thyroglossal duct tract during surgery.…”