Presentation and management of a thyroglossal duct cyst with a papillary carcinoma

Thyroglossal duct carcinoma is rare, and its presentation is similar to that of a thyroglossal duct cyst: a nontender, palpable mass in the midline location. Rapid increase in growth may be a sign of malignancy, but the diagnosis is based on the pathology of the cyst. Initial treatment of thyroglossal duct carcinoma is the same surgical procedure used for removal of a thyroglossal duct cyst. Further surgery depends on the finding of thyroid nodules or positive lymph nodes but is rarely necessary. The recurrence rate after simple excision is low. Postoperative radioiodine ablation or radiation is considered in cases of recurrence or metastasis. In this report, we describe a patient with a new-onset, nontender, neck mass who had a Sistrunk procedure for a presumed thyroglossal duct cyst and was found to have papillary carcinoma.