How serious is a thyroglossal duct cyst?
Risks of a Thyroglossal Duct Cyst This leads to difficulty breathing and swallowing. Because the growths are near other vital structures, in rare cases, a thyroglossal duct can pose severe health risks to your: Neck. Tongue.
What does the thyroglossal duct do?
The thyroglossal duct is an embryological anatomical structure forming an open connection between the initial area of development of the thyroid gland and its final position.
Does a thyroglossal duct cyst need to be removed?
Treatment. Thyroglossal duct cysts are typically removed through surgical excision. However, if the cyst is infected, a surgical procedure should not be done until the infection is treated. Removing an infected cyst without adequately treating the infection can result in a more difficult surgery.
How is thyroglossal duct cyst treated?
The treatment for a thyroglossal duct cyst is surgical removal. There is no known medical therapy with the exception of infected thyroglossal duct cysts, which require immediate antibiotic treatment. The infection should be resolved before surgery is performed.
Why does thyroglossal occur?
Thyroglossal fistula can develop when the removal of the cyst has not been fully completed. This is usually noticed when bleeding in the neck occurs, causing swelling and fluid ejection around the original wound of removal.
Is thyroglossal duct cyst hereditary?
Familial thyroglossal duct cyst is a rare hereditary form of a benign congenital neck mass, known as a thyroglossal duct cyst (TDC). TDC is the most common congenital midline neck mass in the pediatric population. They usually present in children, around 6 years of age, but rarely, they may present in adulthood.
How do I know if my thyroglossal duct cyst is cancerous?
The initial symptoms of thyroglossal duct cyst carcinoma are indistinguishable from a benign thyroglossal duct cyst [8]. A rapid increase in growth or the presence of a firm, palpable mass may be signs of malignancy [22].
Is thyroglossal duct cyst common?
Statistics. Thyroglossal duct cysts (TDC) are the most common congenital midline neck mass. Thyroglossal duct remnants occur in approximately 7% of the population, although only a minority of them ever cause symptoms.
What is the cause of thyroglossal duct cyst?
What is the cause of a thyroglossal duct cyst? A thyroglossal duct cyst is a congenital anomaly, meaning it results from an unexpected change in the womb before birth. Thyroglossal duct cysts occur in both boys and girls. They are not typically associated with any additional congenital anomalies.
What causes Thyroglossal cyst in adults?
What causes a thyroglossal duct cyst? A thyroglossal duct cyst is a congenital (present from birth) defect. When the thyroid gland forms during embryonic development, it begins at the base of the tongue and moves down the neck through a canal called the thyroglossal duct.
What is the thyroglossal duct?
The thyroglossal duct is an epithelium-lined connection between the foramen cecum and the thyroid that forms during the descent of the thyroid during embryological development. It usually involutes in the 8th-10th week of gestation.
What is persistent thyroglossal duct cyst?
A thyroglossal duct that fails to atrophy is called a persistent thyroglossal duct, a condition that may lead to the formation of a thyroglossal duct cyst. ^ Amos J, Shermetaro C (February 23, 2019). “Thyroglossal Duct Cyst”.
How effective is the Sistrunk procedure for thyroglossal duct cysts?
The Sistrunk procedure is the most effective in removing thyroglossal cysts so that they do not reoccur. A thyroglossal duct cyst has only a small chance of recurring, and that is if any of the tissue remains after removal. Doctors may treat infected thyroglossal duct cysts with antibiotics, even if surgery is being planned.
How is a thyroglossal duct cyst treated in children?
If your child has an infected thyroglossal duct cyst, antibiotics will be prescribed to treat the infection before moving forward with surgical excision. The surgical procedure to excise a thyroglossal duct cyst is called the Sistrunk procedure and is performed under general anesthesia.