thyroglossal duct cyst

Resumo

Thyroglossal duct cysts (TDCs) are cervical cysts occurring in
approximately 7% of the population, mainly during childhood. The
cyst usually presents itself as a painless, asymptomatic midline
swelling below the hyoid bone. Differential diagnosis involves branchial
cleft cyst, lymphoepithelial cyst, thyroid gland lesions, ranula and
lymphadenopathy (of various etiologies). Sonogram (ultrasound) is
the most frequent and appropriate imaging modality in suspected
TDC. Preoperative fine-needle aspiration is an inexpensive and safe
method that can be considered in selected adult patients, having prime
importance to the exclusion of carcinoma. This article presents a TDC
of the neck in a 5-year-old boy.