Lingual thyroglossal duct cyst presenting in infancy

Abstract

Lingual thyroglossal duct cysts are a rare form of thyroglossal cysts. We present two infants, 10 and 12 weeks of age, with midline intraoral cystic swellings stretching from the base of the tongue to the thyroid cartilage. Complete excision of the cysts by Sistrunk's procedure were carried out. Both infants are well on follow-up, at 6 months postoperatively. Their unique presentation with regard to age, location, and symptomatology is discussed. Lingual thyroglossal duct cysts large enough to cause dysphagia, stridor, respiratory distress, and failure to thrive in infants have not been previously reported in the literature.