Thyroglossal duct cyst: About a case and review of the literature

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study is to discuss the diagnostic and surgical aspects of TDC, based on an observation. Observation: This is a 35-years-old patient, with no pathological history, who consulted for the management of an anterior cervical mass progressing for approximately 2 years. This mass was painless and was not associated with digestive disorders such as dysphagia or respiratory disorders such as dyspnea and it reported a preserved clinical condition. The examination found a good general condition, an anterior cervical mass high, firm, mobile relative to the superficial plane and ascends with the traction of the tongue. There were no cervical lymphadenopathies and the rest of the examination was unremarkable. The ultrasound found a supra-isthmic mass, independent of the normal thyroid gland. The thyroid biology (ultrasensitive TSH and free T4) was normal. She underwent a cervicotomy which showed exploration of a supra-isthmic tumor lesion, with a thyroid without macroscopic abnormality. An excision was carried out according to the Sistrunk technique and the operating suites were simples. The microscopic examination of the tumor showed a thyroglossal tract cyst. Conclusion: The thyroid gland cyst is a rare tumor whose the optimal surgical treatment rests on a good knowledge of its embryological birth