Egyptian Journal of Ear, Nose, Throat and Allied Sciences (2011) 12, 13–20
Egyptian Society of Ear, Nose, Throat and Allied Sciences
Egyptian Journal of Ear, Nose, Throat and Allied
Sciences
www.esentas.org
ORIGINAL ARTICLE
Thyroglossal duct cyst: Variable presentations
Hossam Thabet, Alaa Gaafar *, Yasser Nour
Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, Alexandria University, Egypt
Received 10 February 2011; accepted 24 March 2011
Available online 23 June 2011
KEYWORDS
Thyroglossal duct cyst;
Presentation;
MRI;
Ultrasound
Abstract Background: Thyroglossal duct cysts are the most common cause of midline congenital
cyst formation in the neck that may present at any age. Classically, it presents as an anterior midline
neck swelling that moves with deglutition and protrusion of the tongue. Occasionally, thyroglossal
duct cyst presents in atypical manner either clinically or radiologically, which may pose a diagnostic
challenge.
Objective: The aim of this study is to review cases diagnosed with thyroglossal duct cysts as regards
clinical and radiological presentation, focusing on cases with atypical presentation.
Patients and methods: The medical records of patients who were diagnosed with thyroglossal duct
cysts from January 2004 till October 2007 were retrospectively reviewed. A total of 22 patients were
included in the study. They were classified as typical and atypical according to the clinical and
radiological presentation.
Results: There were 10 males (45.5%) and 12 females (54.5%) with mean age of 17.3 years. The site
of the cyst was infrahyoid in 20 cases (91%), suprahyoid in one case (4.5%) and intralingual in one
case (4.5%). Clinically, 16 cases (72.7%) showed typical presentation and six cases (27.3%) were
atypical in the form of: thyroglossal duct cyst with intralaryngeal extension, intralingual cyst,
* Corresponding author. Address: 7 Aly Ramez St., Ramleh Station,
Alexandria, Egypt. Tel.: +20 3 4832999, mobile: +20 127435699.
E-mail address: gaafar_a@hotmail.com (A. Gaafar).
2090-0740 ª 2011 Egyptian Society of Ear, Nose, Throat and Allied
Sciences. Production and hosting by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Peer review under responsibility of Egyptian Society of Ear, Nose,
Throat and Allied Sciences.
doi:10.1016/j.ejenta.2011.03.001
Production and hosting by Elsevier
14
H. Thabet et al.
ruptured cyst with subsequent chronic inflammatory changes within the anterior neck compartment, thyroglossal duct cyst with intracystic solid mass, inferiorly located cyst that was mobile with
deglutition but not with tongue protrusion, and thyroglossal duct cyst presenting as lateral neck
swelling. Radiologically, T2 weighted magnetic resonance imaging was the only radiological modality that showed a tract extending to the tongue base.
Conclusion: Thyroglossal duct cyst should be considered in the differential diagnosis of any anterior neck swelling. T2 weighted magnetic resonance imaging is the most informative radiological
modality. It can be used to differentiate cysts with atypical presentation from other neck swellings.
ª 2011 Egyptian Society of Ear, Nose, Throat and Allied Sciences.
Production and hosting by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
1. Introduction
Thyroglossal duct cyst (TGDC) is the most common congenital anomaly of the neck in childhood, representing more than
75% of congenital midline neck masses. Although TGDCs often occur in pediatric patients, at least half are diagnosed in the
second decade of life and they can also present later in adulthood. TGDCs originate from persistent epithelial remnants of
the thyroglossal duct that are present during the descent of the
thyroid gland from the foramen cecum to its final position in
the anterior neck.1
TGDC usually presents as a painless midline neck swelling
that moves with deglutition and protrusion of the tongue with
the typical radiological finding of a simple cystic swelling in the
neck. Occasionally, TGDC can show atypical presentation
either clinically or radiologically, which may pose a diagnostic
challenge. Failure to anticipate the possibility of a TGDC may
be associated with the performance of an inadequate surgical
procedure such as simple incisional biopsy or enucleation,
both of which are associated with significant recurrence rates.2
We report our experience with TGDCs regarding their clinical
and radiological presentations with special emphasis on cases
with atypical presentation.
2. Patients and methods
The medical records of all patients who were admitted to the
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Alexandria Faculty of
Medicine, Egypt, with the diagnosis of TGDC during the period from January 2004 till October 2007 were retrospectively
reviewed.
Charts were reviewed for demographic data, clinical presentation, available radiological assessment, and management
plans. Cases were classified as typical and atypical according
to the clinical and radiological presentation. TGDC was considered typical when it presented clinically as a painless midline
neck swelling that moved with deglutition and protrusion of
the tongue with the typical radiological appearance of a simple
cystic swelling in the neck. Any variation in the clinical and/or
radiological presentation was considered as atypical TGDC.
Operative data and postoperative histopathological results
were also assessed.
3. Results
Twenty two patients diagnosed as having TGDCs were included in the study. Twelve were females (54.5%) and 10 were
males (45.5%). Their age ranged from 2 to 50 years with mean
of 17.3 years and median age of 12.5 years. The site of the cyst
was infrahyoid in 20 cases (91%), suprahyoid in one case
(4.5%) and intralingual in one case (4.5%).
Clinically, 16 cases (72.7%) showed the typical presentation
of a cyst in the anterior part of the neck moving with deglutition and protrusion of the tongue. Six cases (27.3%) showed
atypical presentation.
Radiological evaluation included neck ultrasonography
(USG) in 19 cases, computed tomography (CT) scan in four
cases and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in four cases.
USG showed the typical presentation of well defined, smooth,
uniformly anechoic lesion with posterior acoustic enhancement
in 17 cases. In one case, USG showed multiloculation with
intracystic septae. In another case, it showed an intracystic solid component (Fig. 4a).
CT scan showed well circumscribed, low-density lesions
with smooth, thin wall. Peripheral rim contrast enhancement
was observed in two cases denoting previous infection. MRI
was performed in four patients with atypical presentation. It
showed homogenous hypointense signal on T1 weighted
images and hyperintense signal in T2 weighted images suggestive of uncomplicated TGDCs. The diagnosis was confirmed
in three cases by showing an upward tapering hyperintense
tract extending towards the tongue base in T2 weighted
images. In one case, it showed another downward tapering
tract extending from the lower part of the cyst towards the
thyroid gland.
4. Cases with atypical presentation
4.1. Case 1
A 50 year old male patient presented with neck swelling since
3 months. Examination revealed right paramedian cystic
neck swelling that was mobile with deglutition and protrusion of the tongue. On routine laryngoscopic examination,
there was fullness and medial displacement of the right aryepiglottic fold. CT scan showed right paramedian neck swelling extending to the preepiglottic space. A diagnosis of
saccular cyst was proposed. T1 weighted MRI revealed hypointense cystic neck swelling extending to the preepiglottic
space ( Fig. 1a). T2 weighted MRI showed a short tract
extending towards the tongue base which raised the suspicion
of TGDC with intralaryngeal extension (Fig. 1b). Intraoperatively, the preepiglottic extension of the cyst and the upward tract were identified (Fig. 1c and d). Excision of the
cyst with body of the hyoid bone and the tract up till the
tongue base was performed. Postoperative histopathological
Thyroglossal duct cyst: Variable presentations
15
Figure 1 TGDC with intralaryngeal extension. (a) T1-weighted coronal image showing hypointense cervical swelling with extension into
the preepiglottic space (arrow). (b) T2-weighted coronal image showing hyperintense swelling with an evident tract (arrow) extending
superiorly towards the tongue base. (c) Intraoperative view showing TGDC with intralaryngeal extension (arrow) deep to the thyroid
cartilage. (d) Intraoperative view after dissection of the cyst and excision of the body of the hyoid bone (HB). The tract was dissected till
the tongue base (arrow).
examination confirmed the diagnosis of TGDC with intralaryngeal extension.
4.2. Case 2
Male child aged 4 years presented with sleep apnea with attacks of stridor. Examination revealed a well circumscribed
mass at the base of the tongue (Fig. 2c). MRI showed cystic
lesion occupying the base of the tongue which was hypointense
in T1 and hyperintense in T2 weighted image. It was protruding into the valeculla pushing the epiglottis posteriorly (Fig. 2a
and b). Laser excision of the cyst with the surrounding muscles
was performed (Fig. 2d). Histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of lingual TGDC.
4.3. Case 3
A 45 year old female patient presented with a tender oblong
shaped anterior neck swelling extending from the level of the
thyroid gland till the hyoid bone (Fig. 3c). She gave a history
of anterior neck swelling that was present since childhood with
a previous attack of acute severe neck pain associated with
spasm of the neck muscles 2 years ago. She reported receiving
medical treatment with relief of pain and neck spasm. MRI
showed isointense T1, hyperintense T2 irregular shaped swelling surrounding the strap muscles with the characteristic upward tapering towards the tongue base (Fig. 3a and b). Neck
exploration revealed amalgamated diffuse anterior neck swelling extending from the thyroid gland up till the hyoid bone
(Fig. 3d). Dissection of the swelling was done till the level of
the hyoid bone where the body was removed and the tract
was followed up till the tongue base (Fig. 3e and f). Postoperative histopathological examination revealed chronic inflammatory cells, fibrous tissue, muscle and remnants of the
thyroglossal cyst. The diagnosis of chronic neck inflammation
following the rupture of a TGDC was proposed.
4.4. Case 4
Female patient aged 32 years presented with anterior neck
swelling that moved with deglutition and protrusion of the
tongue. USG revealed cystic swelling with large intracystic soft
tissue shadow (Fig. 4a). USG of the thyroid gland reveled normal in-place thyroid gland. Ultrasound guided fine needle aspiration biopsy from the solid component revealed normal
thyroid tissue. Excision of the cyst with its tract up till the tongue base was done including the body of the hyoid bone. The
cut surface of the surgical specimen revealed a solid component within the cyst (Fig. 4b). Postoperative histopathological
examination confirmed the diagnosis of TGDC with normal
intracystic thyroid tissue.
4.5. Case 5
A 6 year old boy presented with a paramedian neck swelling at
the level of the thyroid gland. It was mobile with swallowing
but not with protrusion of the tongue (Fig. 5a). USG revealed
cystic swelling at the level of the thyroid isthmus with normal
appearance of both thyroid lobes (Fig. 5b). The diagnosis of
thyroid isthmic cyst was proposed. The patient was euthyroid.
16
H. Thabet et al.
Figure 2 Lingual TGDC. (a) T1-weighted axial image showing hypointense swelling at the tongue base (arrows). (b) T2-weighted
sagittal image showing hyperintense swelling at the tongue base (arrow) pushing the epiglottis posteriorly. (c) Endoscopic view showing
the cystic swelling at the tongue base. (d) Postoperative specimen after laser excision of the cyst with a cuff of the tongue muscles.
Fine needle aspiration revealed benign squamous cells and mucoid protenacious material suggestive of TGDC. T2 weighted
MRI revealed a cystic swelling that showed the characteristic
upward tapering of hyperintense tract extending to the tongue
base (Fig. 5c). On intraoperative exploration, the cystic swelling was found to be separated from the thyroid gland and had
a long tract extending to the tongue base (Fig. 5d). Histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of TGDC.
4.6. Case 6
A 34 year old male patient presented with a paramedian upper
neck swelling that was mobile with deglutition and protrusion
of the tongue (Fig. 6a). Its lateral location along the anterior
border of the sternocleidomastoid raised the suspicion of a second branchial cleft cyst. However, the diagnosis of TGDC was
confirmed intraoperatively by detecting a tract that extended
upwards from the cyst till the tongue base. Another tract
extending inferiorly towards the isthmus of the thyroid gland
was identified ( Fig. 6b). Sistrunk operation was performed
and histopathological examination was consistent with the
diagnosis of TGDC.
5. Discussion
TGDCs are the most common cause of midline congenital cyst
formation in the neck.3 Though they may present at any age,
the prevailing thought has been that the peak incidence is in
the 1–10-year age group; however, recently it has been shown
that TGDCs are more common in the adult population than
previously believed. It has been demonstrated that TGDCs
may have a bimodal distribution with peaks at 6 and 45 years
of age.4 In our study, age ranged from 2 to 50 years with mean
age of 17.3 years. Thirteen patients (59.1%) were below the age
of 18 years.
While the classic presentation is of a midline anterior cervical cyst or mass that moves with deglutition and protrusion of
the tongue, TGDCs may occasionally present in non-classic
form. As regards the site, Allard collected 381 cases of welldocumented TGDCs and reported the following locations:
2.1% lingual, 24.1% suprahyoid, 60.9% infrahyoid and
12.9% suprasternal.5 In this study, most of the cases (91%)
were infrahyoid. Suprahyoid and lingual locations accounted
for 4.5% each. No juxtahyoid or suprasternal cysts were
reported. In one of the infrahyoid lesions, the cyst presented
as a lateral neck swelling, its mobility with deglutition and
protrusion of the tongue raised the suspicion of TGDC.
Few reports in the literature described laterally placed
TGDCs along the anterior border of the sternocleidomastoid
muscle and included TGDC in the differential diagnosis of
cysts originating from branchial clefts. The presence of a
medial tail like component of TGDC that ‘dives’ into the
hyoid bone, that can be detected by preoperative MRI or
intraoperatively, will differentiate it from the second branchial
cleft cyst.6–8
Thyroglossal duct cyst: Variable presentations
17
Figure 3 Ruptured TGDC with subsequent chronic inflammation. (a) T1-weighted sagittal image showing isointense diffuse anterior
neck mass (asterisk) surrounding the strap muscles. (b) T2-weighted sagittal image showing hyperintense irregular mass in the anterior
part of the neck with hyperintense tract (arrow) extending towards the tongue base. (c) Preoperative view showing oblong shaped swelling
(arrows) along the midline of the neck. (d) Intraoperative view showing diffuse irregular amalgamated mass at the anterior part of the
neck. (e) Intraoperative view after dissection of the mass up till the tongue base. Remnant of the cyst was seen within the fibrous tissue
(asterisk). (f) The resected specimen with the body of the hyoid bone.
Lingual TGDCs are rare. In a series of 300 TGDCs treated
during a 29-year period, only two cases (0.67%) were in the region of the foramen cecum.9 The low incidence of lingual
TGDC may be related to the fact that the duct initially atrophies from the oral side, where thyroid descent first begins.
This low incidence makes overall experience with these lesions
uncommon.10 Lingual TGDCs are primarily posterior; however, anterior location was previously reported.11 It accounts
for 2.1% of intralingual TGDCs.12 Large lingual TGDCs on
the base of the tongue might cause severe airway obstruction
by a mass effect on the hypopharynx and by backward displacement of the epiglottis. This mechanism has been described as a ball valve effect between the cyst and laryngeal
inlet. The location of these cysts often contributes not only
to the development of respiratory symptoms such as stridor,
dyspnea, raspy respiration and periodic cyanosis, but it can
also cause sudden infant death.13 Clinical examination supplemented with flexible fiberoptic nasopharyngoscopy is of vital
importance in the diagnosis of lingual TGDC. Imaging is required to confirm the diagnosis and to evaluate the airway before surgical intervention. Our case of lingual TGDC cyst was
posterior. MRI showed the criteria of cystic swelling at the
base of the tongue which was hypointense in T1 and hyperintense in T2 weighted images. It was protruding into the valeculla pushing the epiglottis posteriorly. Differential diagnosis
includes dermoid cyst and vallecular cyst. As regards vallecular
18
Figure 4 TGDC with solid intracystic component. (a) USG
showing a cyst (asterisk) at the anterior part of the neck with large
intracystic solid component, (b) postoperative view after excision
and exploration of the cyst showing the solid component.
cyst, it is a retention submucosal cyst that bulges between the
tongue base and the free anterior margin of the epiglottis and
not extending to the tongue muscles.14 Dermoid cyst is usually
located above the geniohyoid muscles presenting at the floor of
mouth and rarely occurs in the intralingual area.15,16 MRI of a
dermoid cyst shows a heterogeneous, multiloculated cyst with
components similar in intensity to fat as a result of sebum or
fat in the cyst. These components are hyperintense on T1weighted MR images.17 Although Sistrunk procedure is still
the traditional management for TGDC, endoscopic CO2 laser
surgery is an alternative for endogenous TGDCs without any
projecting neck masses.18 However, meticulous examination
of the preoperative MRI is crucial to rule out cervical extension of the cyst or the presence of any caudal ductal remnant
that will require combined intraoral and cervical approaches.
Some authors believe that simple marsupialization of lingual
TGDCs provides excellent and definitive treatment reserving
formal Sistrunk operation for recurrent cases.10 Newborns
with lingual TGDC require special attention. They have low
tolerance ability for surgery and their oral cavities are small
and narrow. Therefore, total surgical removal may be difficult.
Puncture method was advocated as a simple and effective
method for initial debulking to be followed by close follow
up till they are old and fit enough to withstand definitive surgical excision.19 Despite close relation of TGDC to laryngeal
structures, a TGDC with intralaryngeal invasion mimicking
an intralaryngeal mass is an extremely rare condition and only
10 cases have been reported in the literature.20 Symptoms of
hoarseness, dyspnea, and dysphagia should make one consider
intralaryngeal extension of TDC. Slotnik et al. reported three
cases of laryngeal invasion in a series of 21 patients with
TGDCs.21 Generally the intralaryngeal extension of thyroglossal cysts is seen as a secondary phenomenon resulting from
massive enlargement over a long period of time.22 However,
Lübben et al. reported a 62 year male patient having TGDC
with intralaryngeal extension.23 The patient presented with
change of voice for 6 months followed by appearance of painless neck swelling. They suggested that the cyst was primarily
intralaryngeal in the preepiglottic space and extended to the
neck. The primary origin from the preepiglottic space was explained by the fact that during embryological development the
hyoid bone rotates to assume its normal position, pulling the
thyroglossal tract with it posteriorly and cranially. Therefore,
H. Thabet et al.
remnants of the tract might stay deep posterior and inferior
to the hyoid bone within the preepiglottic space.24 In our case,
it is likely that the cyst was primarily in the neck and then extended to the preepiglottic space based on the following findings: (1) the patient had no laryngeal symptoms or signs, and
(2) the extralaryngeal portion of the cyst is larger than the
intralaryngeal portion. Differentiation from saccular cyst was
based on the identification of a small tract extending to the
tongue base in T2 weighted MRI. Meticulous dissection of
the cyst from the laryngeal mucosa is of utmost importance
to decrease the likelihood of incomplete surgical excision or
iatrogenic entry into the airway that may result in postoperative surgical emphysema. If entry in the airway occurred during surgery, reconstruction of the laryngeal framework by
the local strap muscles can solve the problem.25
As the thyroglossal remnants remain connected to the tongue base by a tract, there is risk of being infected, with or without abscess formation which could be the initial presentation
of TGDC. Liu et al. reported signs of inflammation, either
acute or chronic, in 48 percent of resected specimens of
TGDCs.26 Thyroglossal cyst abscess might discharge to the
skin of the neck either spontaneously or following an inappropriate surgical incision resulting in a fistulous tract. Alternatively, it might discharge via a sinus tract to the tongue base
resulting in resolution with a residual fibrous remnant. A true
cyst will remain or develop only if an intact capsule forms.
Without a capsule, or full resolution, a chronically infected
duct remains.26,27 Our case of infected TGDC is possibly a
ruptured cyst into the anterior neck compartment with incomplete resolution leaving a chronically inflamed duct.
Classically, TGDC is mobile with deglutition and protrusion of the tongue. In one of our cases, the cyst was mobile
with deglutition but not with tongue protrusion. The diagnosis
of an isthmic cyst was proposed. On USG, an intrathyroid
TGDC appears as a well-defined anechoic cystic lesion and
is indistinguishable from other benign cysts within the thyroid
gland, including intrathyroidal lymphoepithelial cyst or branchial cleft cyst.28 However, fine needle aspiration results raised
the suspicion of TGDC. The finding on MRI of a large cyst
with the characteristic upward tapering and a hyperintense
tract extending to the tongue base on T2 weighted images supported the preoperative diagnosis of TGDC. Less than 10
cases of intrathyroid TGDCs were reported in the literature.
Loss of mobility with tongue protrusion may be explained
by the presence of a long tract interfering with its mobility
or due to adhesion to the thyroid gland. Diagnosis of TGDC
is mainly clinically. On reviewing the literature, it becomes
clear that there is no consensus regarding preoperative imaging
in patients with TGDCs. In most instances, such decision making relies on common sense and on the surgeon’s previous
experience. However, there is a general agreement that high
resolution USG remains the ideal initial investigation of
choice, particularly in children, as it does not involve ionizing
radiation or sedation, is readily available, inexpensive and provides the surgeon with the necessary pre-operative information.29,30 TGDCs have previously been described by
ultrasound as well defined, smooth, and uniformly anechoic
with posterior enhancement.30 The thyroid gland can also be
examined during the same sonographic study. According to
several studies, the demonstration of a thyroid gland with normal echogenicity, contour, site and location in a patient without clinical or laboratory evidence of hypothyroidism should
Thyroglossal duct cyst: Variable presentations
19
Figure 5 TGDC mimicking thyroid isthmus cyst. (a) Preoperative view showing an infrahyoid midline neck swelling (arrow) which was
mobile with swallowing but not with tongue protrusion. (b) US showing a cystic swelling within the thyroid isthmus. (c) T2-weighted
sagittal image showing hyperintense anterior neck swelling with hyperintense tract (arrow) extending towards the tongue base. (d)
Intraoperative view showing the cyst (C) with a long tract (arrow) extending towards the tongue base.
Figure 6 Laterally located TGDC. (a) Preoperative view showing left lateral neck swelling (arrow) which was mobile with deglutition
and protrusion of the tongue. (b) Intraoperative view showing the cyst (C) which is related to the hyoid bone (HB) with another tract
(arrow) extending inferiorly towards the thyroid gland.
be sufficient to exclude an only functioning ectopic thyroid tissue within the TGDC.31 Thereby, obviates the need for radio-
nuclide scanning. However, USG was not able to visualize a
tract extending towards the tongue base in any of our cases.
20
Similarly, in a study done by Ahuja et al.29 on 23 patients,
USG did not demonstrate the tract in any case.
CT scan is rarely justified during the preoperative assessment of a presumed TGDC. However, if it is performed, a
TGD cyst is seen as a well circumscribed, low-density lesion
with a smooth, thin wall. Rim contrast enhancement may also
be observed.32 Again CT scan was not able to demonstrate a
tract in any of our cases. MRI was performed in four cases.
It showed the typical appearance of a simple cystic swelling
which was hypointense in T1 weighted image and hyperintense
in T2 weighted image. However, this appearance is not constant as TGDCs with high protein content and those with previous episodes of infection or hemorrhage will display a high
signal intensity on T1 weighted MRI.33 A hyperintense tract
ascending from the cyst towards the tongue base was visualized in T2 weighted image which was a sure sign for the diagnosis of TGDC. Furthermore, T2 weighted MRI may be
helpful in detecting multiple and arborized thyroglossal ducts
into the surrounding tissues. The presence of such variations
and ducts lateral to the midline were previously reported by
several authors and should be considered during planning of
surgical resection to avoid recurrence.34
In conclusion, TGDCs are the most common cause of midline congenital cyst formation in the neck that may present at
any age. Classically, it presents as an anterior midline neck
swelling that is mobile with deglutition and protrusion of the
tongue. However, non-classic presentation is not uncommon.
Variability in the site, clinical presentation and radiological
appearance must be anticipated. Although USG is the ideal
method for investigation, MRI T2-weighted image is the only
sure imaging diagnostic modality as it can visualize the tract
ascending to the tongue base and sometimes, multiple or
arborized tracts can be also identified. Therefore, MRI should
be considered in the diagnostic workup of TGDCs especially in
cases with atypical presentation.
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