Thyroglossal Duct Cyst

Introduction

• Embryological remnant of migratory path of thyroid from the tongue base   
  • due to arrested endodermal migration from the pharyngeal floor
  • usually located in the midline neck 
  • often close to hyoid bone
  • often go unnoticed until they get infected in association with an upper respiratory tract infection
    • histology of an infected cyst
• follicular cells surrounding colloid admixed with a neutrophilic infiltrate

Presentation

• Physical exam
  • palpation of midline mass  
• moves with protrusion of the tongue and swallowing

Differential Diagnosis

• Persistent cervical sinus (pharyngeal cleft cyst)
  • differentiating factor
    • lateral neck mass anterior to the sternocleidomastoid muscle
• does not move with protrusion of the tongue and swallowing

Treatment

• Surgical
  • excision of mass