Subglottic Thyroglossal Cyst: A Case Report

Thyroglossal duct cysts are a common congenital anomaly in the neck which usually present in adulthood as a midline neck swelling the location of which can vary from lingual, suprahyoid, infrahyoid and suprasternal.

Here we have described the case of a thirty-year-old male who presented with a history of recent onset dysphonia and an unnoticed neck swelling. Clinical examination revealed a midline 2 x 2 cm cystic lesion in the neck. On further evaluation using laryngoscopy and computed tomography the patient was found to have a smooth mucosa-covered cyst in the subglottic location. Surgical excision of the cyst was done via laryngofissure and the postoperative course was uneventful. The postoperative biopsy revealed a subglottic thyroglossal cyst.

Though there have been reports of intralaryngeal extension of thyroglossal duct cysts, the subglottic location is extremely rare. Through this case report, we would like to highlight the atypical presentation of thyroglossal duct cysts and how an innocuous pathology can turn potentially life-threatening. We would also recommend avoiding a fine needle aspiration cytology in such cases due to the critical location.