This study shares our experiences in managing patients with thyroglossal cysts. These are common midline tumors of neck. Characteristically these masses move on protrusion of tongue due to their intimate relationship with hyoid bone. Adults commonly presented with this lesion eventhough literature review suggests it to be common in children. All these patients underwent surgerybecause of the presence of mass rather than any symptoms. All 30 patients taken up in this study had a normal functioning thyroid in the normal position in addition to the cystic lesion.

Ramamoorthy, Geetha

Thiagarajan, Balasubramanian

Ulaganathan, Venkatesan

English

Otolaryngology online journal

Volume 3 Issue 1 2013                                                                               ISSN: 2250-0359
Thyroglossal cyst our experience
Balasubramanian Thiagarajan 
1  Ulaganathan Venkatesan 
2  Geetha Ramamoorthy 
1
1 Stanley Medical College   
2 Meenakshi Medical College
Abstract:
This study shares our experiences in managing patients with thyroglossal cysts.  These are common 
midline tumors of neck.  Characteristically these masses move on protrusion of tongue due to their 
intimate relationship with hyoid bone.  Adults commonly presented with this lesion eventhough 
literature review suggests it to be common in children.  All these patients underwent surgery 
because of the presence of mass rather than any symptoms.  All 30 patients taken up in this study 
had a normal functioning thyroid in the normal position in addition to the cystic lesion.
Introduction:
Literature lists thyroglossal cyst to be the most common congenital neck mass accounting for more 
than 70% of congenital neck lesions.  It is also the most common benign mass to appear in the neck 
second only to cervical lymphadenitis
 1.  Embryologically thyroglossal cyst is supposed to arise 
from the persistent thyroglossal duct.
2   Thyroglossal cyst usually present as a painless midline 
cystic lump.  This lump in invariably smooth and is present in the hyoid region.  If the lesion is 
painful then superadded infection should be suspected.
Embryology:
Discussion of thyroglossal cyst is not complete without a study of development of thyroid gland. 
Studies reveal that between 4
th – 7
th weeks of intrauterine life the thyroidgland descends from 
foramen caecum (present at the junction of anterior 2/3 and posterior 1/3 of tongue) to take up its 
final position anterior and lateral to trachea
 3.  The thyroglossal tract which connects the thyroid 
gland with foramen caecum degenerates and disappears by 10
th week of gestation.  During the 
descent of thyroid gland this thyroglossal tract passes through lingual muscles, then commonly 
passes anterior to hyoid bone and larynx.  It is intimately related to the central portion of hyoid 
bone.
4   Anamolies involving development of thyroid gland could lead to formation of thyroglossal 
cysts which are nothing but cystic remnants of thyroglossal duct, and ectopic thyroid gland which 
could result from incomplete descent of thyroid gland.  These anamolous structures can be found 
anywhere along the path of descent of thyroid gland
 5.  Thyroglossal cysts typically move upwards 
on protrusion of tongue.
Differential diagnosis of midline neck swellings include 
6:
1. Ectopic thyroid tissue
2. Dermoid cyst3. Branchial cyst
4. Cystic hygroma
5. Lymph node
6. Lipoma
7. Sebaceous cyst
Indications for surgery in these patients according to literature include:
1. Cosmetic
2. Infections
3. Sinus / fistula formation
4. Risk of malignant transformation
Aim of the study:
1. To ascertain whether there is sex preponderance in these patients
2. To ascertain the age of presentation
3. To evaluate Investigation modalities performed in our patients
4. To identify common site of  these cysts
5. To ascertain the relationship of thyroglossal duct to hyoid bone in our patients
6. To analyze the common presenting features
Literature review suggests 
7:
1. Thyroglossal cysts are equally distributed among both sexes
2. This disorder is commonly identified in childhood / adolescent age groups.  It is rather rare 
for these cysts to be identified in patients above 30 years 
8.
3. Unique situation where 3-4 consecutive generations of females in the same family 
manifested with this condition 
9.
Figure showing common sites of thyroglossal cystsCases operated by the author during the period 2005-2010 were taken up for study.
Results:
Total Number of thyroglossal cyst patients operated during 2005-2010 = 30
Number of female patients: 22
Number of male patients: 8
Graph showing Female preponderance in this study
Age of  presentation:
Majority of patients in our study were in the age group of 30 – 40.  This is actually rather rare 
according to published literature 
8 in this topic.
Female Male Total
0
5
10
15
20
25
30Table showing age of presentation
Age group No of patients
5-10 years 2
11-15 years 6
16-20 years 3
21-25 years 2
30-40 years  17
Chart showing age distribution of patients on presentation
Common presentation:
1. Midline neck swelling – 29
2. Pain in midline of neck – 2
3. Fistula midline of neck – 1
5 to 10
11 to 15
16 t0 20
21 to 25
30 to 40On examination:
29 patients had midline swelling which moved up and down during swallowing.  One patient had a 
fistula over midline of neck.
Previous history of surgery for thyroglossal cyst was present for 2 patients.
One patient had a rapidly enlarging mass in the midline of neck associated with pain.  Pain and 
rapid increase in size of the mass are attributed to infection / inflammation 
10.
Anatomy of thyroglossal cyst as demonstrated in the operation table:
1. All these masses were related to hyoid bone
2. In 20 patients the duct could be seen traversing behind the hyoid bone
3. In 1 patient the duct could be seen travelling anterior to hyoid bone
4. In the rest 9 cases the clear cut relationship could not be demonstrated.  The mass was found 
just attached to the hyoid bone without any superior suprahyoid extension.
All these patients had normal functioning thyroid in the neck.  They were all euthyroid.  Routine 
ultrasound was performed in all cases in order to demonstrate normal thyroid gland in the neck.
Figure showing midline swelling in the neckFigure showing thyroglossal fistula
Thyroglossal cyst in a male moving on protrusion of tongue
Figure showing thyroglossal cyst being exposed during surgeryFigure showing thyroglossal cyst along with middle portion of hyoid bone after removal
Histopathology:
Thyroid follicle cells could be seen only in 3 of the 30 operated specimen.  
12 cyst specimen demonstrated ciliated columnar epithelial lining, and the rest 18 demonstrated 
squamous epithelial lining.
Discussion:
Our study reveals that thyroglossal cyst is more common in females.  All our patients were 
euthyroid with normal thyroid gland present in the neck.  All these patients except for one presented 
with midline swelling of neck which moved on protrusion of tongue.  One patient presented with 
fistula in midline of neck.  There was also prior history of surgery in that patient.  One patient 
presented with rapidly enlarging midline selling of neck associated with tenderness and pain.  
Ultrasound was performed in all these patients not only to confirm the cystic nature of the mass but 
also to ascertain whether normal thyroid gland was present in the neck.
These patients were taken up for surgery.  Surgery was performed via transverse skin crease 
incision in the neck.  Cyst was mobilized and removed in toto.  In only one patient the track had 
obvious extension up to the posterior third of tongue, necessitating core out procedure.  One patient 
who had recurrence of the lesion following surgery gave history of infection at least twice before 
surgery was performed.  This obviously accounts for the recurrence because infections usually 
obliterate these tracts and distorts normal anatomy 
11.  Studies have revealed that monocystic lesions 
have less recurrence rate when compared to multicystic ones 
12.
Pathologically these cysts have been classified as monocystic and polycystic lesions.  On aspiration 
they usually demonstrate mucoid / gelatinous material.  If mucopurulent material is aspirated then it 
indicates active infection in the cyst.  Histopathologically these cysts are commonly lined by 
ciliated columnar epithelium / squamous epithelium.  Thyroid follicles may / may not be seen in the 
cyst wall.  Review of literature reveal that thyroid follicles are present only in about half of the 
studied specimen 
13.  In our study only 3 specimen out of the 30 studied demonstrated thyroid 
follicles in the cyst wall.
Conclusion:
Thyroglossal cyst presents as midline neck swelling which moves on protrusion of tongue.  If it is 
associated with pain / tenderness then infection should be suspected.  All these patients should 
undergo ultrasound examination of neck to identify whether normal thyroid gland is present in the 
neck.  FNAC aspirate will reveal mucoid / gelatinous material.  If the aspirate is purulent then 
infection in the cyst should be suspected.  Complete cyst excision along with the tract if present 
should be the ideal treatment goal.  Recurrence rate is high in patients with mulicystic diseases and 
infected cysts.References:
1. Park Y. Evaluation of neck masses in children. Am Fam Phy 1995;51 1904-12
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1994 
4. Ellis PDM, Van Nostrand AWP. The applied anatomy of thyroglossal tract remnants. 
Laryngoscope 1977;87:765±70 
5. Noyek AM, Friedberg J. Thyroglossal duct and ectopic thyroid disorders. Otolaryngol Clin 
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6. Ward PH, Strahan RW, Acquarelli M, Harris PF. The many faces of cysts of the thyroglossal 
duct. Trans Am Acad Ophthalmol Otolaryngol 1970;74:310±18 
7. ALLARD, R. H.  B.:  The  thyroglossal  cyst. Head and Ne c k  Surg.  1982: 5: 134-146.
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Med 1982: 72; 141-149
9. . ASHWORTH, J. W.: Three generations o f  thyroglossal duc t  remnant in one family. J. o f 
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a clinical and pathologic analysis, Int. J. Pediatr. Otorhinolaryngol. 44 (1998) 47-50.
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Congenital masses of the head and neck. Postgraduate Med

Embryology For Surgeons.

Evaluation of neck masses in children.

Histological characterization of the thyroglossal tract: implications for surgical management.

Recurrent thyroglossal duct cysts: a clinical and pathologic analysis,

Risk factors for thyroglossal duct remnants after Sistrunk procedure in a pediatric population R.

The applied anatomy of thyroglossal tract remnants. Laryngoscope

The many faces of cysts of the thyroglossal duct. Trans Am Acad Ophthalmol Otolaryngol

Thyroglossal cyst our experience

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