Thyroglossal Duct Cyst

Key Images

Introduction

Embryological remnant of migratory path of thyroid from the tongue base    due to arrested endodermal migration from the pharyngeal floor usually located in the midline neck  often close to hyoid bone often go unnoticed until they get infected in association with an upper respiratory tract infection histology of an infected cyst follicular cells surrounding colloid admixed with a neutrophilic infiltrate

Presentation

Physical exam palpation of midline mass   moves with protrusion of the tongue and swallowing

Differential Diagnosis

Persistent cervical sinus (pharyngeal cleft cyst) differentiating factor lateral neck mass anterior to the sternocleidomastoid muscle does not move with protrusion of the tongue and swallowing

Treatment

Surgical excision of mass