Thyroglossal Duct Cyst in a 3-Month-Old Infant: A Rare Case

Incidental finding of thyroglossal duct cyst in a neonate during endotracheal intubation: a case report

BACKGROUND

Thyroglossal Duct Cyst (TDC) is a common lesion of the midline neck, originating from an incomplete involution of the thyroglossal duct. It is typically observed in pre-scholar patients and surgery is the treatment of choice to prevent infections. Here reported a case of incidental diagnosis in a newborn patient.

CASE PRESENTATION

a 3-week-old male baby was admitted to our hospital for weight loss and projectile vomits after breastfeeding. After a diagnosis of hypertrophic pyloric stenosis, the baby underwent pyloromyotomy. During the endotracheal tube placement, the anesthetist noticed the presence of a midline neck mass. The suspect of TDC was confirmed by an intraoperative ultrasound, so, despite the age of the patient, we proceeded with the excision of the lesion according to Sistrunk's procedure to avoid future complications and anesthesia.

CONCLUSIONS

even if TDC is a common lesion of pediatric patients, anecdotical neonatal cases were described in the literature, all of them symptomatic. An accurate physical examination and ultrasound are essential diagnostic tools to distinguish TDC from other middle neck lesions, particularly ectopic thyroidal tissue. Sistrunk's procedure is the most effective surgical approach. When diagnosis is made in a newborn, we suggest postponing surgery, unless the baby requires general anesthesia for other surgical procedures, such as in our case.

Clinical Characteristics and Prognosis of Infants and Children <3 Years of Age With Thyroglossal Duct Cyst Complicated With a Parapharyngeal Mass: A Case Series Study

Thyroglossal duct cysts (TGDCs) are congenital and developmental abnormalities in infants and young children. This retrospective case series study examined the characteristics of 7 patients <3 years (mean age, 1.9 years) with TGDC complicated with a parapharyngeal mass treated at one hospital between January 2019 and 2022. Four patients had a painless mass around the neck, 2 had a painless mass associated with snoring, and 1 presented repeated swelling and pain. B-ultrasound suggested 6 cases of TGDC and 1 possible lymphangioma. All patients were treated with Sistrunk surgery to remove the TGDC. Six patients had no cyst recurrence during follow-up (6 months to 2 years). In conclusion, TGDC complicated with a parapharyngeal mass has complex and variable clinical manifestations. Completely removing the cyst while sparing thyroid cartilage and surrounding vascular and neuroanatomical structures is important to avoid complications. The patients are likely to be free from recurrence after surgery.

Large thyroglossal duct cyst of the neck mimicking cervical cystic lymphangioma in a neonate: a case report

Thyroglossal duct cyst (TGDC) is a congenital neck malformation, with a rate of approximately 7% in paediatric patients. TGDC is rarely detected in infants aged younger than 1 year. Even though TGDC is histologically benign, it is associated with preterm delivery or sudden infant death due to airway obstruction, with a mortality rate of 30% to 40%. We report a rare case of a neonate who presented with a large left lateral neck mass. At 7 to 8 months of gestation, magnetic resonance imaging of the foetal neck showed that there was a high possibility of a cervical cystic lymphangioma. The patient had normal vital signs and was afebrile. She was immediately transferred to our Ear, Nose, and Throat Department for further diagnosis and treatment. A computed tomography scan confirmed a large cystic mass that was positioned against a thyroglossal duct. Excision of the mass in the left neck was performed under general anaesthesia without resecting part of the hyoid bone. A histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of a TGDC. Follow-up at 1 year showed no recurrence.