Thyroglossal duct cysts: Two cases

Thyroglossal duct cyst is the most common congenital neck mass in children and young adults. The authors present two cases affecting two patients aged 7 and 9 years, respectively, who had a palpable painless swelling in the submental region. In both patients ultrasound (US) examination showed an anechoic or hypoechoic rounded mass with well-defined margins thus confirming clinical suspicion of thyroglossal duct cyst. One patient also had a second, deep-lying, nonpalpaple cyst which communicated with the superficial cyst. These cases are typical and confirm that US is essential in suspected thyroglossal duct cyst to confirm clinical diagnosis, detect lesions which are not clinically appreciable due to their small size or deep location, to assess communication between the lesions and to detect possible complications.

Thyroglossal duct cyst is the most common congenital neck mass in children and young adults. The authors present two cases affecting two patients aged 7 and 9 years, respectively, who had a palpable painless swelling in the submental region. In both patients ultrasound (US) examination showed an anechoic or hypoechoic rounded mass with well-defined margins thus confirming clinical suspicion of thyroglossal duct cyst. One patient also had a second, deep-lying, nonpalpaple cyst which communicated with the superficial cyst. These cases are typical and confirm that US is essential in suspected thyroglossal duct cyst to confirm clinical diagnosis, detect lesions which are not clinically appreciable due to their small size or deep location, to assess communication between the lesions and to detect possible complications.