Thyroglossal Duct Cyst Carcinomas: A Clinicopathologic Series of 22 Cases with Staging Recommendations

Malignancy and "Violated Neck" Rates in Consecutive Cohort of 79 Adult Patients With Solitary Cystic Neck Mass-Lessons Learned and Recommendations for Clinical Practice Guidelines

OBJECTIVE

The neck region is a common site for solitary cystic neck mass (SCNM) of various etiologies, including congenital, inflammatory, and neoplastic. In adults, the primary focus is excluding malignancy. The objective of this study was to retrospectively analyze the accuracy of available diagnostic technologies for the differentiation of benign and malignant SCNM in adult patients. The study aimed to develop new clinical practice guidelines for evaluating and managing SCNM.

METHODS

The primary predictive variables were the diagnostic utilities of fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC), ultrasound (U/S), multislice computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging. The study's endpoint was the overall diagnostic accuracy in differentiating between benign and malignant SCNM. The final diagnosis was based on histopathology.

RESULTS

The study included 79 adult patients: 55 (69.62%) male and 24 (30.38%) female ( P <0.05). The mean age at presentation was 42.1 years (range: 18-84 years). Solitary cystic neck mass was distributed in the anterior neck region in 30 (37.97%) patients and the posterolateral neck regions in 49 (62.03%) patients ( P <0.05). The posterolateral neck regions had a significantly higher rate of malignant SCNM than the anterior neck region [19/49 (38.78%) versus 1/30 (3.33%)] ( P <0.05). There was no statistically significant difference between the U/S+FNAC and U/S+FNAC+multislice computed tomography and/or magnetic resonance imaging groups in differentiating benign and malignant SCNM (40/42 versus 36/37, P >0.05). "Violated neck" was recorded in 2 cases.

CONCLUSION

A systematic investigation protocol should be applied to evaluate adult patients with SCNM.

Malignant degeneration of thyroglossal duct cysts: Clinical aspects, imaging findings and management: Case series

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE

Thyroglossal duct cysts (TDCs) are congenital anomalies that can rarely undergo malignant transformation, with approximately 1 % of operated TDCs demonstrating malignant degeneration. Therapeutic management and follow-up methods are still controversial subjects.

CASE SERIES PRESENTATION

We report 3 cases of a papillary carcinoma of thyroid occurring in a thyroglossal duct cyst. The diagnosis was suspected preoperatively in 2 patients, hence the indication of frozen section examination. All patients underwent Sistrunk procedure associated with total thyroidectomy and central neck dissection. Concomitant papillary thyroid carcinoma was found in 2 patients. A complementary treatment by radioactive iodine 131 with frenetic hormone therapy was undertaken in all the cases. The follow-up showed no recurrence.

CLINICAL DISCUSSION

The clinical presentation of thyroglossal duct cyst carcinoma is often nonspecific, posing challenges in early diagnosis. The chosen treatment strategy, involving the Sistrunk procedure, total thyroidectomy, and central neck dissection, along with adjuvant therapy using radioactive iodine 131 and frenetic hormone therapy, was effective in preventing recurrence.

CONCLUSION

The management of degenerated TDC is based on a multidisciplinary approach. Papillary carcinomas of TDC generally have a good prognosis.

A Rare Case of Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma in the Thyroglossal Duct Cyst of a 14-Year-Old Female Patient With Left Thyroid Hemiagenesis

Congenital abnormalities in the development of the thyroglossal duct are a common pathology in the pediatric population. The exact frequency of hemiagenesis of the thyroid gland is not known because the condition is rarely manifested clinically and is almost always discovered incidentally. Papillary carcinoma of thyroglossal cysts is relatively uncommon, has a good prognosis if promptly detected and treated and occurs mainly in adults. The case we present here is an extremely rare occurrence: a patient with papillary thyroid carcinoma of the thyroglossal duct cyst and thyroglossal duct cyst carcinoma (TDCa). So far, only two such adult patients (women aged 24 and 35) have been described in the world medical literature. The patient we present is a 14-year-old female and is the first described adolescent with papillary carcinoma of the thyroglossal duct cyst and thyroid hemiagenesis (THA). The disease didn't have any clinical manifestations, and the patient was brought in by her parents to improve her aesthetic appearance. Neither the physical examination nor the radiological evaluation showed any signs of malignancy. The diagnosis was reached by our team only after the patoanatomical examination. In this patient's case, due to its early diagnosis, the spread of the disease was limited only to the borders of the thyroglossal duct cyst and the absence of regional and distant metastasis. Surgical removal led to a complete cure, without any postoperative data suggestive of residual disease. The functions of the thyroid gland in her case were not affected, despite her left-lobe agenesis, to which there are multiple proofs, namely the normal blood concentration of the examined thyroid markers: free triiodothyronine (FT3), free thyroxine (FT4), thyroglobulin (TG), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), anti-TG (thyroid antibody test (TAT)), anti-thyroid peroxidase (TPO) (microsomal antibody test (MAT)), and normal physical and psychological development.

Thyroglossal Duct Cyst Carcinoma: Lessons from a 20-Case Series

Aims and Objectives

Thyroglossal duct cyst (TDC) is a common congenital cyst with an incidence of about 7%. Thyroglossal duct cyst carcinoma (TDCC) is a rare sequel which arises from TDC and has an incidence of about 1%. As these are rare, they do not have well-defined management guidelines. The aim of this study was to analyse the clinical profile and pathological characteristics of patients with thyroglossal duct cyst carcinoma and to propose a protocol for their treatment and follow-up.

Materials and Methods

A retrospective study was done from January 2000 to December 2019. All the clinical details, imaging characteristics, treatment and histopathology were analysed.

Results

The mean age group in our study was 37.9 years with a female preponderance. The clinical features like rapid increase in size, fixity of the lump and lymph node metastasis were not very common. Seventy-five percent of our patients who underwent imaging had suspicious characteristics. Fifty-six percent of our patients had FNAC suggestive of TDCC. Fifty percent of our patients had concomitant thyroid carcinoma. None of our patients had distant metastasis at follow-up.

Conclusions

TDCC is rare and a disease of young adulthood and usually has good prognosis. It may be a clinical surprise or a small lesion which can be detected with ultrasound and targeted FNAC. There is high rate of concomitant thyroid carcinoma and hence needs careful assessment. Sistrunk's procedure with total thyroidectomy either staged or simultaneously has good outcome and permits adjuvant treatment.

Ultrasound-Guided Ethanol Ablation for Thyroglossal Duct Cyst: A Review of Technical Issues and Potential as a New Standard Treatment

The thyroglossal duct cyst (TGDC) is the most common congenital neck mass, accounting for 70-75% of all congenital neck masses. Although the Sistrunk operation has been used as a standard of treatment, it is accompanied by a considerable surgical burden, including the need for general anesthesia, a visible surgical scar on the neck surface, and postoperative complications. Ultrasound-guided ethanol ablation (US-EA) is a minimally invasive and office-based technique that is widely used as a non-surgical treatment for several benign cystic lesions, particularly benign thyroid cysts. Recently, US-EA has also been gaining popularity as a good alternative for TGDC treatment, which is associated with high feasibility, a high safety profile, and favorable treatment outcomes. To our best knowledge, seven studies on the use of EA as a primary treatment option for TGDC have been published since 2011. Although these studies have reported promising results, there is a lack of consensus on several issues regarding the application of EA for TGDC, particularly its detailed techniques and role as a primary treatment. This article aims to provide a comprehensive review of EA for TGDC, addressing technical issues and its possible role as a new standard of treatment for TGDC.

Thyroglossal duct cyst carcinoma case series-Management strategy and outcomes

OBJECTIVE

To review the clinical presentation, diagnosis, pathology and management strategies in a modern cohort of patients with thyroglossal duct cyst carcinoma.

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective case series following PROCESS Guidelines.

SETTING

Comprehensive cancer centre.

METHODS

Data recorded included: gender, age at diagnosis, clinical presentation, thyroid function, diagnostic investigations, cytological results, final histology, staging and follow up status. The risk of malignancy in cytological analysis was stratified according to the Royal College of Pathologists classification in United Kingdom.

RESULTS

Twelve patients were included. The majority of patients (66.7%) presented with an isolated thyroglossal duct cyst. Only 4 patients had preoperative cytological suspicion of carcinoma (sensitivity: 33.3%). At the time of presentation all patients were euthyroid. Following diagnosis of malignancy, a total thyroidectomy was performed in all patients, with the exception of 2, who had a thyroglossal duct cyst carcinoma of less than 10mm. Among the 10 patients who underwent total thyroidectomy, 7 (70%) patients had proven carcinoma in the thyroid gland, 3 with deposits of less than 10mm. The average size of the thyroid cancer deposits was 7.2mm (1-20mm). With a mean follow-up of is 44 months (5-120), all patients were alive and free of recurrence at the end of the study period.

CONCLUSION

Thyroglossal duct cyst carcinoma is a rare condition and its management should be discussed in a multidisciplinary meeting. As with differentiated thyroid cancer originating in the thyroid gland, it bears extraordinary survival rates. Accordingly, the management of these cancers has shifted towards a more conservative approach although its peculiarities must be taken into account: ease of extracystic invasion and possible different lymph node invasion.

Ultrasound-Guided Ethanol Ablation as a Primary Treatment for Thyroglossal Duct Cyst: Feasibility, Characteristics, and Outcomes

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the feasibility, characteristics, and outcomes of ultrasound-guided ethanol ablation (US-EA) as a primary treatment for thyroglossal duct cysts (TGDCs).

STUDY DESIGN

Prospective case series.

SETTING

Single center study.

METHODS

The inclusion criteria were as follows: (i) patients with TGDC aged ≥18 years, (ii) benign TGDC in imaging and cytological examinations, and (iii) patients' need for nonsurgical scarless treatment. US-EA was used as the primary treatment strategy. The primary outcome variables were the volume reduction rate (VRR) and cosmetic score at the last follow-up.

RESULTS

We enrolled 28 patients with TGDC. The median TGDC volume at baseline was 6.7 mL. The median procedure time of the US-EA was 6.5 minutes. The median volumes of the cyst aspirate and injected ethanol were 4.0 and 2.0 mL, respectively. Overall, 18, 8, and 2 patients underwent 1, 2, and 3 treatment sessions, respectively. There were no complications. The median VRR was 96.2%, and the treatment success rate was 96.4%. The World Health Organization cosmetic score decreased from 4 (baseline) to 1 (after treatment) in all patients. The subjective grade for cosmetic satisfaction was satisfactory or highly satisfactory in all patients. The VRR, treatment success rate, and the number of treatment sessions did not differ as functions of the characteristics of the TGDC, including the initial volume, septation, debris, or viscosity of the cyst fluid.

CONCLUSION

US-EA was feasible, safe, and effective in patients with TGDC. Therefore, US-EA can be used as a primary treatment for TGDC, evading general anesthesia and surgical scar.

Two-centre experience in the treatment of thyroglossal duct remnants using the modified muscle-sparing Sistrunk technique

The Sistrunk procedure has long been the method of choice for treating patients with thyroglossal duct remnants (TDRs). However, the extent of the surgical resection in the suprahyoid segment of the TDR remains controversial, as this anatomical site is the origin of both disease recurrence and surgical morbidity. The aim of this two-centre retrospective cohort study was to investigate the outcomes of a modified muscle-sparing Sistrunk procedure in primary TDRs. The primary predictor was the surgical approach, and the outcome variable was the recurrence rate. A total of 110 consecutive patients (62 (56.4%) male, 48 (43.6%) female) who underwent a modified muscle-sparing Sistrunk procedure were included in the study. Their mean age at presentation was 26.9 ± 18.9 years. A modified muscle-sparing Sistrunk procedure using cold instruments, electrocautery, and a harmonic scalpel was performed in all patients. Recurrence was recorded in six (5.5%) patients. The median hospital stay was 2 days (range 1-7 days), and the median follow-up duration was 7 years (range 2-13 years). There was no significant difference in recurrence rate between the conventional and modified muscle-sparing Sistrunk procedure in primary TDRs. The study findings showed that the modified muscle-sparing Sistrunk procedure had low recurrence and complication rates in the context of primary TDR.

Synchronous carcinoma of thyroglossal duct cyst and native thyroid gland

The unobliterated portion of embryological thyroglossal duct may present as cystic swelling later in life and may contain functional thyroid follicles. This cyst requires excision along with the entire thyroglossal duct remnant and adjacent portion of hyoid bone. At times, the excised specimen could demonstrate a focus of carcinomatous change inside the cyst wall. Very rarely, this thyroglossal duct cyst carcinoma could be associated with malignancy of native thyroid gland. This case report illustrates an interesting case of synchronous carcinoma of thyroglossal duct cyst and native thyroid gland. It also sheds light on the controversies related to the pathophysiology of such association and the dilemmas surrounding the management of thyroglossal duct cyst carcinoma, with or without concurrent carcinoma of thyroid gland.

Approach to FNA of Thyroid Gland Cysts

Fine needle aspiration is a well-known procedure for the diagnosis and management of thyroid lesions, representing the first diagnostic tool for the definition of their nature. In clinical practice, a thyroid nodule can be classified as solid, cystic, and partially cystic based on its internal components. Different thyroid imaging reporting systems and cytologic diagnostic systems have focused their attention on solid nodules, which are more frequently linked with a malignant outcome. In fact, numerous papers demonstrated that nodules with microcalcifications, a taller-than-wide shape, hypoechogeneity, and irregular margins, are more likely to be malignant on histology. Nevertheless, according to the literature, the risk of malignancy in a partially cystic thyroid nodule ranges between 3.3 and 17-5%, including, for instance, the possible diagnosis of a cystic papillary thyroid carcinoma and other malignant entities. Therefore, in the current review article, we are going to discuss the approach to thyroid cystic lesions on fine needle aspiration cytology.

Papillary Carcinoma in Thyroglossal Duct Cyst and Thyroid Gland with Hashimoto

The ectopic thyroid gland is a rare condition. In most cases, ectopic thyroid tissue is the only functioning thyroid tissue, but it may rarely be associated with a normal thyroid gland. Ectopic thyroid carcinoma within a thyroglossal duct cyst is a very rare entity, with controversial individual approaches. This encouraged us to present the case of a 31-year- old woman, with papillary thyroid carcinoma in the thyroid gland and in the thyroid ectopic tissue within the thyroglossal duct. After suspicion of thyroid malignancy in the ultrasonography of the neck, FNA-biopsy was performed on the thyroid nodule and the thyroglossal duct cyst. Since the pathological exam revealed a papillary carcinoma in the eutopic and ectopic thyroid tissues, the Sistrunk procedure and total thyroidectomy were done, followed by radioiodine ablation.

Thyroglossal Duct Cyst in the Suprasternal Region

A thyroglossal duct cyst (TGDC) is the most common congenital anterior neck mass. It can develop from residual tissue not degenerated during development and is mainly diagnosed in pediatric patients. However, a TGDC is sometimes diagnosed for the first time in adult patients. A TGDC is mainly caused by repeated infections of the duct and there might be no specific symptoms. A TGDC can occur anywhere from the floor of the mouth to the thyroid but is most often found at the infrahyoid level. Over the past 10 years, there has been no report of a TGDC in the suprasternal region among TGDCs in unusual locations. This paper describes one case of a suprasternal TGDC with a review of the literature on this topic.

Update from the 5th Edition of the World Health Organization Classification of Head and Neck Tumors: The Neck and Lymph Nodes, Metastasis, and Melanocytic Tumors

The changes made in the fifth edition of the WHO Classification of Head and Neck Tumors demonstrate the recent diagnostic, histopathological, and molecular advances in the field, and this updated information will hopefully lead to improved and standardized tumor subtyping. This review summarizes the changes related tumors and tumor-like lesions of the neck and lymph nodes (Chapter 11), metastasis to the head and neck region (Chapter 15), and melanocytic tumors (Chapter 10).

Papillary thyroid carcinoma from a thyroglossal cyst: case series

Papillary carcinoma originating from a thyroglossal cyst represents an infrequent finding, which occurs in ~1% of cases of thyroglossal cyst and its presentation is usually the same as that of a benign cyst, which represents the most frequent benign congenital lesion of the neck. The diagnosis is usually presented as a finding on the histopathological examination. Two cases of a thyroglossal cyst with later development of malignancy are presented. The first, a 30-year-old female, and the second, a 32-year-old male. Both began their condition after presenting an increase in volume in the neck, the female presented a right sub-mental triangle of 1 year of evolution, and the male on the anterior side of the neck. In both cases, the diagnosis of thyroglossal cyst was made by the physical examination and findings of cervical ultrasound and computed axial tomography. Surgical management consisted of the Sistrunk procedure with a definitive histopathological result for papillary thyroid carcinoma originating from thyroglossal cyst. In the case of the male patient, the Sistrunk procedure was performed along a total thyroidectomy, although in the female patient, a total thyroidectomy was performed in a second stage. Patients were then discharged and referred to the endocrinology service for further medical treatment. The management of these cases continues to be controversial due to the limited number of reported cases, so the multidisciplinary management and individualization of each case plays a fundamental role in the management of this rare condition.

Clinical and cytopathological features of suspected thyroglossal duct cysts and neoplasms arising from them: A large series from a referral cancer center

BACKGROUND

Thyroglossal duct cysts (TGDCs) are the most common congenital midline cystic lesions in the neck, and they are often evaluated by fine-needle aspiration. Recognizing the cytomorphologic features of TGDCs and their mimics is important for clinical management.

METHODS

This study examined the clinical, radiological, and cytopathological features of 86 ultrasonography-guided fine-needle aspiration (US-FNA) specimens from clinically suspected TGDCs or malignancies arising from TGDCs and correlated the findings with surgical follow-up and/or imaging studies.

RESULTS

According to ultrasound examinations of 66 lesions, 17 (25.8%) were cystic, 8 (12.1%) were cystic with septations, 21 (31.8%) were cystic with solid nodules, and 20 (30.3%) were solid or cystic with internal debris. Cytopathologically, 81 lesions (94%) were categorized as benign, 2 (2%) were categorized as atypical, and 3 (3%) were categorized as malignant. In benign lesions, proteinaceous material (63%), histiocytes (63%), colloid (37%), squamous cells (35%), columnar cells (32%), follicular cells (15%), inflammatory cells (9%), and multinucleated giant cells (9%) were noted. Diagnoses in the benign category included TGDC in 64 patients (75%), TGDC or mimics (colloid nodule/epidermoid cyst) in 14 patients (17%), a colloid nodule in 1 patient, and thyroiditis in 1 patient. Surgical resection, performed in 23 patients, confirmed TGDCs in 12, benign mimics in 7, and carcinoma in 4.

CONCLUSIONS

Cytopathological features, in conjunction with imaging, allowed a definite diagnosis of TGDC in most patients (75%). The presence of mature squamous cells, thyroid follicular cells, with or without colloid and/or lymphocytes alone allowed a differential diagnosis of TGDC and its mimics in 17%. US-FNA findings could not distinguish primary carcinomas arising from TGDCs from metastatic tumors.

Evidence and controversies in management of thyroglossal duct cyst carcinoma

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The aim of this study was to analyse the rational of the possible therapeutic approaches to thyroglossal duct cyst carcinomas (TGDCCa), especially in consideration of their potential airway involvement, discussing the most debated issues concerning employment of thyroidectomy, neck dissection and adjuvant treatments.

RECENT FINDINGS

The literature is unanimous in defining the Sistrunk procedure as the baseline of surgical treatment of TGDCCa, and in equating the vast majority of thyroid-like TGDCCas to classic thyroid cancers from a biological point of view, while the rarer squamous cell carcinomas seem to behave more aggressively. Thyroidectomy, neck dissection and radioactive iodine treatment are considered for high-risk lesions, with the addition of customized partial resection of laryngeal cartilages when airway involvement is encountered. Furthermore, the analysis of thyroid mutational markers has promise for accurate prevision of more aggressive clinical behaviours.

SUMMARY

Even if rare, clinicians should be aware of TGDCCa due to the possibility of incidental diagnosis and, in the case of more advanced clinical scenarios, for its potential airway involvement. Sistrunk procedure combined with thyroidectomy, neck dissection and adjuvant therapy provide excellent results in high-risk patients. Additional study of pathological thyroid markers in TGDCCa is desirable to allow more individualized treatments.

Micro-CT Imaging of Pediatric Thyroglossal Duct Cysts: A Prospective Case Series

Objectives: To determine the feasibility of micro-CT as a high-resolution 3D imaging tool for thyroglossal duct cysts and to evaluate its role augmenting traditional histopathological examination of resected specimens. Methods: A single centre, prospective case series of consecutive children undergoing excision of a thyroglossal duct cyst was performed at a quaternary paediatric referral hospital in the United Kingdom. Consecutive children listed for excision of a thyroglossal duct cyst whose parents agreed to participate were included and there were no exclusion criteria. Results: Surgically excised thyroglossal duct cyst or remnant specimens from five patients (two males, three females) were examined using micro-CT alongside traditional histopathological examination. In all cases, micro-CT imaging was able to demonstrate 3D imaging datasets of the specimens successfully and direct radio-pathological comparisons were made (Figures 1-5, Supplementary Video 1). Conclusions: The study has shown the feasibility and utility of post-operative micro-CT imaging of thyroglossal duct cysts specimens as a visual aid to traditional histopathological examination. It better informs the pathological specimen sectioning using multi-planar reconstruction and volume rendering tools without tissue destruction. In the complex, often arborised relationship between a thyroglossal duct cyst and the hyoid, micro-CT provides valuable image plane orientation and indicates proximity of the duct to the surgical margins. This is the first case series to explore the use of micro-CT imaging for pediatric thyroglossal duct specimens and it informs future work investigating the generalizability of micro-CT imaging methods for other lesions, particularly those from the head and neck region where precisely defining margins of excision may be challenging.

Thyroid tissue outside the thyroid gland: Differential diagnosis and associated diagnostic challenges

The presence of thyroid tissue outside of the thyroid gland may occur in various clinical settings and anatomic locations and includes both benign and malignant differential diagnoses. Some of these entities include thyroglossal duct cyst, lingual thyroid, parasitic nodule, thyroid tissue within a lymph node and struma ovarii. In routine daily practice, these entities do pose diagnostic challenges for the pathologists. Differential diagnostic considerations depend largely on the location of lesion and the histologic features. A definitive diagnosis may remain unclear in some cases while knowledge is still evolving in others i.e., incidentally detected bland appearing thyroid follicles in a lateral neck lymph node. This article aims to elaborate on the various entities characterized by thyroid tissue outside of the thyroid gland, both benign and malignant, and the relevant differential diagnostic considerations.

Airway compromise and thyroglossal duct cysts in adulthood

A 61-year-old man died suddenly after a brief history of shortness of breath and hemoptysis. At autopsy he had lobar pneumonia involving the right upper and left lower lobes of the lung. Significantly there was also a 30 × 20 mm (in cross-section) thyroglossal duct cyst compressing the upper airway. Death was attributed to respiratory failure due to the combined effects of lobar pneumonia (cultures positive for Streptococcus pneumoniae) and airway narrowing from a thyroglossal duct cyst. Although such cysts are usually found in childhood they may on occasion be diagnosed in adults. Despite being the most common congenital cyst in the neck cases associated with a lethal outcome are extremely rare.

Updated WHO nomenclature of head and neck lesions and associated imaging findings

This article reviews the imaging features of head and neck lesions with updated 2017 World Health Organization (WHO) nomenclature. The major WHO changes include refined terminology of existing entities, descriptions of new tumor types, elimination of defunct categories, and updated biological characterization of various tumor types. In particular, the updates pertaining to the following conditions will be reviewed: tumors of the oral cavity and oropharynx, including HPV-positive or HPV-negative squamous cell carcinoma, small cell carcinoma; tumors of the hypopharynx, larynx, trachea, and parapharyngeal space, including nomenclature revisions for laryngeal neuroendocrine tumors; tumors of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses including newly added entities such as NUT carcinoma and biphenotypic sinonasal sarcoma; odontogenic and maxillofacial bone tumors, including the reversal of terminology for certain cystic lesions; tumors of the salivary glands, including updated terminology related to high-grade transformation and polymorphous adenocarcinomas tumors; temporal bone lesions including modifications of the nomenclature and classification criteria; tumor-like lesions of the neck and lymph nodes, with a discussion encompassing developmental cysts, metastases of unknown primary, and heterotopia-associated neoplasia; and mucosal melanoma. Familiarity with the proper WHO terminology for conditions that might be mentioned in differential diagnoses and a general understanding of the behavior of head and neck lesions can help optimize imaging assessment and reporting.

Ectopic papillary thyroid carcinoma within a thyroglossal duct cyst: A case report

RATIONALE

Ectopic thyroid carcinoma within a thyroglossal duct cyst (TGDCCa) is an extremely rare entity. Thus, there is no unified appropriate therapeutic strategy, and individual approaches are controversial.

PATIENTS CONCERNS

We report the case of a 21-year old woman who underwent Sistrunk procedure for a thyroglossal duct cyst (TGDC).

DIAGNOSES

During histological evaluation of the resected TGDC a papillary thyroid carcinoma was found.

INTERVENTIONS

Due to a tumor size of 1cm and proximity to the surgical border, Sistrunk procedure was extended by total thyroidectomy, followed by radioiodine ablation.

OUTCOMES

Except of minimal follicular hyperplasia, the histological examination of the resected thyroid gland was unsuspicious.

LESSONS

Therapeutic management of TGDCCa is of interdisciplinary debate due to relative infrequence of the disease and consequently lack of unified therapeutic guidelines. We suggest a personalized therapeutic approach adjusted to individual risk stratification. In young patients with small tumor size and with confirmation of TGDCCa representing the primary tumor, Sistrunk procedure alone may reflect adequate treatment. In all other cases, total thyroidectomy and radioiodine ablation should be evaluated. Overall TGDCCa have an excellent prognosis with a 5-year survival rate of more than 90%.

Papillary thyroglossal duct carcinoma: report of nine cases and review of literature

BACKGROUND

Thyroglossal duct carcinoma (TDCa) is a rare malignancy. Thus, we summarized the clinical characteristics of TDCa to explore the strategy of diagnosis, surgical treatment, and prognosis of patients with papillary TDCa.

CASE PRESENTATION

A retrospective study was conducted about the medical records of cases with TDCa. General information including the diagnosis, surgical treatment, and prognosis of patients were obtained and analyzed. A total of 480 patients with thyroglossal duct anomalies were treated in our hospital during 1981 to 2011. Nine patients were identified as papillary TDCa and Sistrunk procedure was performed in these patients. Total thyroidectomy and selected neck dissection were performed in 3 TDCa patients with additional multiple thyroid nodules at presentation, of whom one was diagnosed as papillary thyroid carcinoma and another was found to have lymph node metastases. With a median follow-up of 119 months, all patients were alive with no recurrences or metastases.

CONCLUSIONS

Although the incidence of TDCa is very low, early diagnosis and surgical operation of TDCa should be performed as soon as possible. Besides, the pathological examination is the only way to confirm the diagnosis, and surgery, especially Sistrunk's procedure, is the prior choice of the treatments. In the presence of thyroid lesions or cervical lymphadenopathy, total thyroidectomy and neck dissection should be considered.

Thyroglossal Duct Cyst Carcinomas in Pediatric Patients: Report of Two Cases with a Comprehensive Literature Review

Thyroglossal duct cyst (TGDC) carcinomas are rarely encountered in the pediatric population. The clinical behavior of these tumors in the pediatric setting is unclear and management is not well defined. Two cases of pediatric thyroglossal duct cyst carcinoma were identified in a review of all thyroglossal duct cysts diagnosed over a ten year period. These two cases were analyzed along with 57 cases of thyroglossal duct cyst carcinoma affecting patients less than 21 years of age compiled from the English literature. Fifty-nine patients (36 females, 23 males) aged 6-20 years (mean 15.0 years) were identified. All presented with an anterior midline neck mass, which was typically mobile and non-tender. The average tumor size was 2.6 cm. Histologically, all tumors were papillary thyroid carcinomas arising in a background of a thyroglossal duct cyst. The tumors exhibited a papillary, follicular, or mixed architecture with classical papillary thyroid carcinoma nuclear features. Soft tissue extension was present in 16 cases. All patients were managed surgically with a Sistrunk procedure, with additional thyroidectomy performed in 29 patients, combined with a lymph node dissection (n = 15), or a Sistrunk and lymph node dissection (n = 5). All patients were stage I at presentation, with 11 showing lymph node metastases. Postoperative radioactive iodine was employed in 20 patients. A papillary carcinoma of the thyroid gland was reported in four of the patients who had concurrent/subsequent thyroidectomies. Recurrences were reported in four patients, with distant metastases in one patient, who died of disease (13 months). Follow up data was available for 45 patients, with an overall mean follow-up of 54.5 months. All patients were alive, with the exception of one who died with disease. TGDC carcinomas in pediatric patients is associated with a good overall prognosis, best managed by Sistrunk procedure alone, with selected lymph node dissection if clinically indicated.