Thyroglossal duct: a review of 55 cases

Abstract

Background: Thyroglossal duct remnants are the most common midline neck masses in childhood but can be found in adults and the elderly. Sistrunk's procedure, with dissection of the tract and removal of the hyoid bone, is accepted as the main operation of choice.

Study design: Fifty-five patients were treated from January 1994 to November 2000, and these were studied. There were 29 men and 26 women, with a median age of 17 years. Diagnosis was clinical, with 13 cases of fistula and 42 of cyst. Size varied from 1.0 to 4.0 cm, with an average of 2.5 cm. Six patients presented with local abscess.

Results: All the patients underwent Sistrunk's procedure. Serum collection occurred in three patients as complication. In one patient papillary carcinoma was identified in the cyst. Total thyroidectomy was not performed. There was only one recurrence, managed with a second operation.

Conclusions: We concluded that the diagnosis of thyroglossal duct is clinical. Sistrunk's procedure carries low rates of complications (9.08%) and recurrence (1.82%). Antibiotic therapy is avoidable as a rule and hospital stay is short.