Thyroglossal Duct Cyst in the Suprasternal Region

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Surgery
• Head and Neck Surgery
• Congenital Abnormalities

Background:

• Thyroglossal duct cysts (TGDCs) are the most frequent congenital anterior neck masses, often diagnosed in children but sometimes presenting in adults.
• TGDCs arise from incompletely degenerated embryonic tissue and can occur along the thyroglossal duct's path, typically near the infrahyoid region.
• While usually asymptomatic, repeated infections can lead to TGDC development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report a rare case of a suprasternal thyroglossal duct cyst.
• To review the existing literature on unusual locations of TGDCs.

Main Methods:

• Case report of a suprasternal TGDC.
• Literature review of TGDCs in uncommon locations over the past decade.

Main Results:

• The study describes a unique case of a TGDC located in the suprasternal region, an area with no reported TGDC cases in the last 10 years.
• A review of literature was conducted to contextualize this rare finding within the spectrum of TGDC presentations.

Conclusions:

• Thyroglossal duct cysts can present in rare locations, such as the suprasternal region, even in adults.
• This case underscores the importance of considering TGDC in the differential diagnosis of anterior neck masses, regardless of typical location.