[Thyroglossal duct cysts in adult : clinical and therapeutic features]

Thyroglossal duct cysts (TDCs) are rare congenital cervical malformations in adults, which expose to two major risks: infection and malignant degeneration which remains the most dreaded complication in adults.

This study aims to establish the clinical, management of TDC during adulthood, as well as the evolutionary aspects of these malformations in this age group.

This is a retrospective study on 61 adults over 18 years old, undergoing TDC surgery in our department.

The average age was 33.7 years with a sex ratio M/F of 1.10.The circumstances of discovery were dominated by a median cervical swelling in 53 patients (86,9%). The swelling was median in 28 cases and located in ad-hyoid in 32 cases. Cervical ultrasound confirmed the diagnosis of TDC in all patients. CT scans were performed on 15 patients. Surgical excision according to the Sistrunk method was performed on all patients. Three of our patients have experienced a degenerated TDC requiring total thyroidectomy with central neck dissection, followed by radioactive iodine therapy.

CT scan keeps indications in adults. The treatment is surgical in order to prevent the risks degeneration, which is specific complication in adulthood.