Adult Thyroglossal Duct Carcinoma of Thyroid Epithelial Origin: A Retrospective Observational Study

Value of Pyruvate Carboxylase in Thyroid Fine-Needle Aspiration Wash-Out Fluid for Predicting Papillary Thyroid Cancer Lymph Node Metastasis

The incidence of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is increasing. Lymph node metastatic status of PTC is a major factor for decision marking of surgery and surgical extend, however, no reliable tool exists for prediction of PTC nodal metastasis, for example, ultrasound cannot qualitatively diagnose and effectively detect central lymph node metastasis (CLNM). Therefore, the development of a new diagnostic biomarker is crucial for CLNM. Metabolic dysregulation is an important factor associated with malignancy and metastasis of tumors. Pyruvate carboxylase (PC) is a major anaplerotic enzyme that catalyzes the carboxylation of pyruvate to form oxaloacetate, which has been suggested to be involved in the tumorigenesis of several cancers, including PTC. This study aimed to explore the role of PC expression in thyroid fine-needle aspiration (FNA) wash-out fluid for predicting CLNM in PTC, and to explore how PC is involved in PTC development. The expression levels of PC in PTC tissues and normal thyroid tissues were first compared based on bioinformatics analysis of public databases, including the Gene Expression Profiling (GEPIA), Oncomine and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) databases. Then, the PC mRNA and protein expression levels were measured by RT-PCR and Immunohistochemistry (IHC) in surgical tissues from a total of 42 patients with surgically confirmed PTC, and compared in patients with and without CLNM. Further, to assess PC expression in diagnostic biopsies, a total of 71 thyroid nodule patients with ultrasound-guided FNA wash-out fluid samples and cytological diagnosis were prospectively enrolled in the study. Then, we analyzed the mechanism of PC-mediated PTC progression in vitro. This study showed that PC expression was higher in PTC tissues and thyroid FNA wash-out fluid samples from patients with CLNM than those from patients without CLNM, and that PC-induced PTC metastasis may occur through the TGF-β/Smad-regulated epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) pathway.

Management outcome of thyroglossal cyst in a tertiary health center in Southwest Nigeria

Thyroglossal duct cyst is a non-odontogenic congenital developmental cyst. It is predominantly a midline anterior neck swelling in children and total excision of the tracts prevents recurrence. Retrospective hospital record analysis of patients managed with histopathology results of thyroglossal cyst between 2003 and 2018. Comparing outcomes and technique of thyroglossal cyst excision in a resource challenged environment. A total of 37 patients comprising 22(59.5%) males and 15(40.5%) females (M:F 1.4:1) with age range of 13 days to 55 years (median 6 years) were managed. The majority were children less than 10 years of age. They all presented with a fluctuant midline progressive anterior neck swelling, in addition to anterior neck ulcer 1(2.7%), discharging sinuses 3(8.1%) and thyroglossal cyst duct infections, which were managed successfully with antibiotics. Central compartment neck dissection with excision of mid-portion of the hyoid bone was performed in all the patients. Rupture of thyroglossal duct cysts was observed in 7(18.9%) at surgery, but there was no recurrence. Surgical drain was not used and most patients were discharged within 48 hours postoperatively. Thyroglossal duct cyst was confirmed at histology without any evidence of mitotic changes. There was no recurrence for the Sistrunk's procedure in all specialties. The modification of the Sistrunk's procedure with mid-anterior neck dissection is effective in excising a thyroglossal duct cyst, hence preventing recurrence. Non-usage of wound drains and short hospital stay are cost effective.

Locally Advanced Thyroglossal Duct Cyst Carcinoma Presenting as a Neck Mass

Thyroglossal duct cyst carcinoma is rare and occurs in just 1% of cases with thyroglossal duct cysts. It is not always possible to distinguish a thyroglossal cyst harboring malignancy from its benign counterparts unless biopsied, thus posing the dilemma. Currently there is no clear consensus on the optimal management of thyroglossal duct cyst carcinoma. Here we present the case of a 69-year-old female who presented with a midline neck mass and dysphagia and was found to have papillary thyroid cancer in the biopsy specimen of the neck mass. She underwent excision of the mass and the thyroglossal duct cyst along with total thyroidectomy; however, the thyroidectomy specimen showed no malignancy. Her lymph node mapping was negative and she is awaiting radioactive iodine treatment.