[Thyroglossal duct cysts]

Fifty-one patients operated for thyroglossal duct cyst at the Ear, Nose and Throat Department of the Zadar General Hospital in the period from 1981 to 1996 were retrospectively analyzed. Thyroglossal duct cyst occurs most commonly in childhood, but it can also appear in adults, even in the elderly persons. The cyst is always localized at the medial neck line, most often beside the lingual bone. The first symptom of the disease in the majority of patients was a painless tumor on the neck. Less frequently, the first symptoms were difficulties in swallowing and signs of infection: pain, redness and swelling on the neck. In majority of patients the diagnosis was established by inspection and palpation, and confirmed by puncture and cytologic examination. In two patients, in whom the site of the cyst was behind the lingual bone, the diagnosis was established by ultrasound. For the diagnosis of thyroglossal duct cyst, physical examination with cytologic evaluation and ultrasound are generally sufficient. Only exceptionally, gamma scintigraphy of the thyroid gland and CT of the neck should be done. After comparing the results of several surgical methods, the author recommends that in addition to the removal of the cyst, the trunk of the lingual bone should be removed as well, to minimize the likelihood of a recurrence.