Airway Obstruction from Intralaryngeal Extension of Thyroglossal Duct Cyst in an Elderly Man: A Case Report

Abstract

ABSTRACTObjective: To report an unusual presentation of thyroglossal duct cyst causing airway obstruction in an elderly man. Methods: Design: Case Report Setting: Tertiary Government Training Hospital Patient: One Results: A 71-year-old man with an anterior neck mass was brought to the Emergency Room due to progressive difficulty of breathing. A smooth, non-ulcerating right supraglottic mass obstructed the airway. Following an emergency high tracheotomy, contrast computed tomography scan of the neck revealed a hypodense mass with peripheral rim enhancement in the right supraglottis and an extralaryngeal component. Intra-operatively, a dumbbell- shaped cystic mass with a tract connected to the hyoid bone led to a Sistrunk procedure. Final histopathology findings were consistent with thyroglossal duct cyst. Conclusion: It is possible for an elderly patient with impending upper airway obstruction, dysphonia, and neck mass to still have a benign and congenital thyroglossal duct cyst with intralaryngeal extension.