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Thyroglossal Duct Cyst - Radiology

last modified on: Thu, 04/25/2024 - 10:36

Updated by Piper Wenzel, BS April 2024

see: Thyroglossal Duct Cyst and Thyroglossal Duct Cyst Excision

  • Benign cystic swelling due to thyroglossal duct remnant (Tan 2023)
  • Presents as an asymptomatic midline mass, moves up and down during swallowing (Tan 2023, Li 2024)
  • Found between the foramen cecum of the tongue base and the isthmus of the thyroid (Tan 2023)
  • Most common pediatric mass, also occur in adults - equal incidence in males and females (Amos 2024)
  • Average size is 1.5 to 4 cm (Tan 2023)
  • Signs of malignant transformation may include firm, immobile mass, rapid growth, and lymphadenopathy (Houas 2024)
  • Histopathology - lined by respiratory epithelium, squamous epithelium, or both (Amos 2024)
  • Ultrasound may be a good first imaging choice especially in pediatric patients (Amos 2024)
  • On CT: benign appearing, low-density, occasionally septated, thin rim of peripheral enhancement with contrast, thicker rim if infected
  • On MR: can be hypo- or hyperintense on T1 depending on protein content; hyperintense on T2; rim-enhancing on T1 post-contrast if infected

TGDC_T1_0715

TGDC_T2_0715

TGDC_CT_0715

References

Houas J, Ghammam M, Laabidi E, Khalfi O, Bellakhdher M, Abdelkefi M. Malignant degeneration of thyroglossal duct cysts: Clinical aspects, imaging findings and management: Case series. Int J Surg Case Rep. 2024 Feb;115:109325. doi: 10.1016/j.ijscr.2024.109325. Epub 2024 Feb 1. PMID: 38301307; PMCID: PMC10847149.

Li X, Yang H, Deng X, Qiao DH. Thyroglossal Duct Cyst Located in the Thyroid Gland Misdiagnosed With Thyroid Carcinoma: A Case Report and Literature Review. Ear Nose Throat J. 2024 Feb;103(2):NP124-NP127. doi: 10.1177/01455613211040583. Epub 2021 Aug 26. PMID: 34433310.

Tan SW, Misron K, Tengku Kamalden TMI. Large Thyroglossal Duct Cyst Presenting in Adulthood: A Case Report and Literature Review. Cureus. 2023 Apr 3;15(4):e37084. doi: 10.7759/cureus.37084. PMID: 37168144; PMCID: PMC10166281.

Amos J, Shermetaro C. Thyroglossal Duct Cyst. 2023 Jun 26. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan–. PMID: 30085599.