Thyroglossal Duct Cyst in an Adult Male: The Risk of Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma

Abstract

One of the most common benign congenital malformations in the central neck area is thyroglossal duct cyst which rarely occurs in adult. The failure of degeneration during embryological period leads to the formation of a redundant tract. This tract later formed an expansile cyst which has epithelial lining within and capable to produce secretion due to repeated insult such as infection or inflammation. Hence, Sistrunk procedure remained the mainstay of treatment to prevent recurrence. However, there is a chance of 1% of the cyst turned into carcinoma. Here, we presented a case of 25-years-old gentleman who presented with a painless midline neck mass for one-year duration only and underwent Sistrunk procedure after diagnosis was confirmed. Nonetheless, histopathology revealed a well-differentiated papillary thyroid carcinoma in a previously normal fine needle aspiration cytology. The patient later underwent total thyroidectomy and received radioactive iodine therapy. Prognosis of the patient was excellent postoperatively. Despite of its rarity, every patient with neck swelling should be included for malignancy risk stratification by full and comprehensive examination by the attending clinician.

Keywords: Thyroglossal duct cyst; Sistrunk procedure; Thyroglossal duct cyst carcinoma; papillary thyroid carcinoma