Malignant thyroglossal duct cyst with synchronous occult thyroid gland papillary carcinoma

Abstract

A 52-year-old male was referred to our department with complaints of a painless midline neck swelling. Clinico-radiological evaluation suggested a 6 × 5 cm thyroglossal cyst with non-palpable nodules in isthmus and right lobe of thyroid gland. FNAC of the thyroglossal cyst was suggestive of papillary carcinoma. He underwent Sistrunk′s operation, total thyroidectomy, and central compartment neck dissection. Co-existence of papillary carcinoma of thyroid gland and thyroglossal cyst is a rare presentation and in this report, we describe our management and propose an evidence-based algorithm to assist decision-making in the management of these patients in future.

Keywords

• Papillary carcinoma
• Sistrunk′s operation
• thyroglossal duct cyst carcinoma
• thyroglossal duct cyst
• thyroid cancer