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Updated: May 5, 2026
Transoral Endoscopic Thyroidectomy Vestibular Approach for Thyroid Lobectomy
Published on: May 12, 2023
Preoperative evaluation of thyroglossal duct cysts: children versus adults--is there a difference?
Anuradha R Bhama1, Richard J Smith2, Robert A Robinson3
1Department of Surgery, University of Iowa, 200 Hawkins Drive, 4641 JCP, Iowa city, IA, USA.
Background:
Thyroglossal duct cysts (TGDCs) are common in children but also present in adults. This study evaluates the preoperative management and postoperative outcomes in patients with a resected TGDC.
Methods:
A retrospective analysis was performed on patients with a surgically treated TGDC. Clinicopathologic variables and treatment outcomes were obtained by chart review.
Results:
A total of 79 patients (44 pediatric and 35 adult) were identified. The majority of patients in both groups presented with a neck mass. Compared with children, adults were significantly more likely to undergo preoperative imaging and fine-needle aspiration biopsy. Malignancy was not identified in any patient on preoperative workup or postoperative pathology.
Conclusions:
Adults with a TGDC are more likely to undergo preoperative imaging and biopsy. The infrequent occurrence of TGDC cancer or concurrent thyroid pathology suggests that the diagnosis of a TGDC may be made on clinical grounds in adult patients although ultrasound (±fine-needle aspiration biopsy) may be a useful supplementary modality.
