[Interest of thyroïdectomy in the management of thyroglossal duct cysts]

To discuss the authors' experience with thyroglossal duct (TD) carcinoma and expose the interest of the thyroidectomy in the management of this entity.

A retrospective review of all patients with the diagnosis of TD operated on from 1985 to 2002 was performed.

Four cases of papillary TD carcinoma were identified. Two patients were treated by a Sistrunk procedure associated with total thyroidectomy. One patient needed a thyroidectomy fifteen years after the initial management of the papillary thyroglossal duct carcinoma. The last patient had a medical treatment, with no evidence of complication after eleven years of follow up.

A microscopic focus of papillary carcinoma, without cyst wall invasion, can be managed by a Sistrunk procedure, with the need for long-term follow up. Treatment of all other thyroglossal duct papillary carcinomas should include thyroidectomy followed by radioactive iodine treatment.