[Thyroglossal duct cyst]

Thyroglossal duct cysts are embryologic anomalies arising from epithelial remnants of the duct left after the descent of the developing thyroid. Clinical, operative and pathological findings in 124 patients operated on in the past 14 years were analyzed. There were 60 males and 64 females. 69 (56%) were under 10 years of age and the youngest was 6 months old. 26 (21%) were over the age of 30, and the oldest was 72 years old. All excisions were performed in accordance with the Sistrunk procedure, which includes removal of the body of the hyoid bone. Overall recurrence was 6.4%, but in infected cysts or cysts with a fistula to the skin, it was 3.5 times greater. In 20% the cyst was located off the midline. The lining of the cysts was cuboidal, columnar, pseudostratified or stratified squamous epithelium, and varied according to the location of the cyst. There were no malignant changes.