Papillary carcinoma of the thyroid gland seen as lateral neck cyst

The clinical, roentgenographic, histologic, and cytologic features of four cases of papillary carcinoma of the thyroid gland seen as lateral neck cysts are discussed. Carcinoma of the thyroid gland characteristically is a solid tumor and appears as a firm, painless, and otherwise asymptomatic mass in the anterior paramedial part of the neck. A nontender fluctuant lateral neck mass commonly implies a benign lesion. The diagnostic procedures used (namely, fine-needle aspiration and ultrasound and thyroid scans) may belie the nature of the lateral neck lesion. Examination of the tissue is necessary to confirm the diagnosis.