PREOPERATİVE DİAGNOSTİC METHODS OF THYROGLOSSAL DUCT CYSTS

Materials and Methods: Thirteen patients (7 females, 6 males; mean age: 24.7±18.5 years; range 4 to 59 years) were reviewed retrospectively. We reviewed age, sex, clinical features, preoperative diagnostic tests, treatment, and histopathologic diagnosis. All cases were operated by Sistrunk procedure.

Results: Cyst formation was in 11 patients (%84.6) while fistula formation in 2 patients (%15.4). The lesions of 11 patients (%84.6) were located on the midline and lesions of 2 patients (%15.4) were located on the paramedian neck (left side). While preoperative ultrasonography (USG) was performed with cyst formation in all cases, preoperative any diagnostic test was not done with fistula formation in patients. The thyroid gland was observed normal localization in all cases. There was no recurrence in the follow up period.

Conclusions: Thyroglossal duct cyst is the most common congenital neck mass. USG is the initial investigation of choice for a clinically suspected thyroglossal duct cyst. It is effective, inexpensive, non-radiation, non-invasive and does not require sedation. It also offers useful information, for the identification of both the cyst and thyroid gland. Routine thyroid scintigraphy may not be necessary if a normal thyroid gland can be identified on routine preoperative USG. If any solid element and findings of malignancy was found on USG, the fine-needle aspiration biopsy, computed tomography and/or magnetic resonance imaging could be performed. Keywords : Thyroglossal duct cyst, diagnosis, ultrasonografi, thyroid scintigraphy