Congenital neck masses

Congenital Neck Masses

There are many possible causes of congenital neck masses, with the most common ones being thyroglossal duct cysts, branchial cleft anomalies, and vascular malformations. Most congenital neck masses are asymptomatic in the neonatal period, but depending on the location and the size, they can cause airway obstruction and serious complications at birth. Proper diagnosis is important for optimal treatment planning, and if the airway is compromised, multidisciplinary teamwork is critical for proper airway management. This review summarizes the clinical features, etiology, diagnosis, management, and prognosis of different types of congenital neck masses.

Educational Case: Developmental Neck Masses and Other Neck Tumors

The following fictional case is intended as a learning tool within the Pathology Competencies for Medical Education (PCME), a set of national standards for teaching pathology. These are divided into three basic competencies: Disease Mechanisms and Processes, Organ System Pathology, and Diagnostic Medicine and Therapeutic Pathology. For additional information, and a full list of learning objectives for all three competencies, see http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/2374289517715040.¹

Neglected papillary thyroid carcinoma seven years after initial diagnosis

Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is the most common epithelial thyroid tumor, accounting for more than 80% of all thyroid tumors. Recent advances in ultrasonographic screening and US-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) have facilitated the early detection and diagnosis of papillary thyroid carcinomas. In exceptionally rare cases, papillary thyroid tumors may assume enormous dimensions due to recurrent disease or the patient's negligence of the problem. We report an extremely rare case of a 72-year-old woman presented with a neglected giant exophytic papillary thyroid carcinoma with hemorrhagic ulcers. Computed tomography showed a mass measured 17 × 12 cm that caused a displacement of the trachea to the right side and reached the mediastinum. After bleeding management, patient was discharged. The patient was fully aware of her situation, but she denied any further therapeutic management.

Imaging of pediatric neck masses

Palpable neck masses are a common indication for pediatric imaging. Such lesions may be caused by infectious, inflammatory, tumoral, traumatic, lymphovascular, immunologic, or congenital etiologies. Radiological assessment of neck masses in young children should be tailored based on patient presentation and physical examination, as well as clinical suspicion. The goal of imaging should be to help arrive at a diagnosis or limited differential in an efficient manner while minimizing radiation exposure.

Cervical cystic swelling in an adolescent: unusual association of a cervical mature teratoma with vertebral anomalies and a history of gastric duplication cyst

A 14-year-old girl presented with a cervical cystic swelling in association with deformity of cervical vertebrae. As a child, she had been treated for gastric duplication. Pathologic examination of the resected cervical swelling revealed a mature teratoma. We discuss possible embryologic associations, which could explain the unusual combination of a mature teratoma with vertebral anomalies and gastric duplication.

Endolaryngeal extension of thyroglossal duct cyst

Thyroglossal duct cysts are the most common congenital neck masses that develop during childhood, The masses develop from remnants of thyroglossal ducts, and typically appear as midline neck masses. Endolaryngeal extension of thyroglossal duct cysts has been reported mostly as midline neck swelling. We observed a case of extension of the thyroglossal duct cyst to the supraglottic area without neck swelling. A 50-year-old man presented with a 1-month history of foreign-body sensation in the throat. Fiberscopic and radiologic findings were similar to those associated with a saccular cyst, but its proximity to the hyoid bone raised the possibility of thyroglossal duct cyst. Operation was performed via an external incision to completely remove the cyst. Postoperative fiberscopy revealed that the aryepiglottic fold swelling had disappeared. Diagnosis of thyroglossal duct cyst was confirmed on the basis of pathological findings. In cases in which it is difficult to remove the cyst from the hyoid membrane, the hyoid bone midline portion should be dissected. Thyroglossal duct cysts should be considered in cases with a submucosal tumor in the supraglottic region, and radiological examinations should be performed.

Successful treatment of a huge congenital cervical teratoma

Congenital cervical teratomas are extremely rare tumors with high perinatal mortality and morbidity rates particularly due to compression and distortion of the infant's airway. Hence, these mostly benign malformations require immediate excision, whereas surgery of these tumors is challenging for a multidisciplinary team. We report on a recent case of congenital cervical mature teratoma with total excision and cure. The aim of this case study is to report the authors' experience in managing a case of congenital cervical teratoma to provide a structured approach and help in decision making, once prenatal diagnosis is made.

Pediatric salivary gland imaging

A variety of lesions occur in the pediatric salivary glands. With modern imaging techniques such as Doppler sonography, helical CT, and MRI, identification of a specific etiology is often possible. Knowledge of clinical information, normal anatomy, and imaging characteristics of salivary gland pathology are essential for appropriate radiologic evaluation. This review illustrates the various congenital, neoplastic, and inflammatory entities that can occur within the parotid, submandibular, and sublingual spaces.