Extravasation mucocele arising from a lingual thyroglossal duct remnant.

Mitsuhiko Nakahira,Hiroaki Nakatani

doi:10.1155/2015/326251

Mitsuhiko Nakahira, Hiroaki Nakatani

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1155/2015/326251

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Abstract

Although a thyroglossal duct cyst is a congenital anomaly, it can also appear in adults. Despite the presence of embryological remnants, it is still unclear why the cyst should suddenly develop later in life. We report a case of a 46-year-old male with an extravasation mucocele arising from a long-standing lingual thyroglossal duct remnant. MRI demonstrated a lingual cystic lesion near the hyoid bone associated with a suprahyoid tract-like structure masquerading as a thyroglossal duct cyst. However, histopathological examination demonstrated a mucocele secondary to a rupture of a thyroglossal duct remnant with numerous intramural heterotopic salivary glands. We propose a new mechanism of an acquired cystic formation of this congenital disease that excessive production of mucus from heterotopic salivary glands and a physical trauma such as swallowing may lead to extravasation of mucus from the thyroglossal duct.

Highlights

A cyst of the thyroglossal duct is the most common congenital neck mass [1]
We describe a rare case of an extravasation mucocele arising from a long-standing lingual thyroglossal duct remnant
Histopathological examination demonstrated that the lesion was composed of a non-epithelial-lined cyst, an associated ruptured cyst, and an epithelial-lined thyroglossal duct remnant containing numerous heterotopic salivary glands in the duct wall (Figures 2(b)–2(d))

Summary

Introduction

A cyst of the thyroglossal duct is the most common congenital neck mass [1]. A thyroglossal duct cyst is a congenital anomaly and most commonly presents in a pediatric age group, it can appear in adults [2]. An extravasation mucocele is an acquired cystic abnormality in the accessory salivary glands [5]. Both extravasation mucocele and thyroglossal duct cysts are considered different pathological entities in the head and neck [6]. We describe a rare case of an extravasation mucocele arising from a long-standing lingual thyroglossal duct remnant

Case Report

Discussion