Hürthle cell carcinoma of the thyroglossal duct

A thyroglossal duct cyst is an embryologic remnant that often manifests as a swelling in the midline of the neck. The development of a carcinoma in a cyst is rare but well recognized. The majority of those reported are papillary carcinoma; there have been 4 cases of mixed follicular-papillary (which biologically and clinically behaves as a papillary carcinoma) and only 1 follicular. A computer search of the literature revealed no previous report of a Hürthle cell carcinoma arising in a thyroglossal duct. A case of Hürthle cell carcinoma arising in a thyroglossal duct is presented, and the pathology, clinical manifestations, and management are reviewed.