Sonographic evaluation of thyroglossal duct cysts in children

Thyroglossal duct cysts (TDC) in children have a variable sonographic appearance. Some reports have suggested that TDCs appear on ultrasound as well defined, cystic masses with thin walls and posterior enhancement, whereas others have documented a heterogeneous echopattern within these lesions. In our experience, although TDCs in children have a variable ultrasound appearance, the most common appearance is that of a pseudosolid mass closely related to the hyoid bone. In this study we report on 23 patients with thyroglossal duct cysts and document the ultrasonic patterns.

All patients in whom the diagnosis of TDC was made clinically (by at least two head and neck surgeons) and in whom ultrasound detected a cystic mass related to the hyoid bone, were included in this study. Sonograms of 23 children with TDCs were reviewed. The features evaluated included their location, internal echogenicity, posterior enhancement, the presence of septa, a solid component and a fistulous tract. The echopattern was not correlated with the biopsy results.

Three patterns of TDCs were identified: anechoic (13%); pseudosolid (56.5%); and a heterogeneous pattern (30.5%). The majority were midline (82.6%), showed posterior enhancement (56.5%), and had thin walls (82.6%).

On ultrasound, TDCs in children are not simple cysts but have a complex pattern ranging from a typical anechoic cyst to a pseudosolid appearance (most common).Ahuja, A. T. (2000). Clinical Radiology55, 770-774.