Thyroglossal duct cysts: experience from a series of cases treated in the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Clinic of General Hospital “G.Papanikolaou’’ in Thessaloniki, Greece

SUMMARY: Thyroglossal duct cyst is the most common swelling of fetal origin in the cervix, located predominantly in the frontal neck area. The prevalence of the disease is 7%, while in bibliography there is some controversy regarding the age of diagnosis, since some authors find greater occurrence in children and others in adults.[1-3] Clinically, it usually appears as a mobile, painless mass without tension most commonly located below the hyoid bone (75% of the patients), but if inflammated, it can be accompanied by pain. The indicated therapeutic approach of thyroglossal duct cysts is surgical removal under general anesthesia according to Sistrunk technique, that ensures the full removal of the cyst’s wall including part of the hyoid bone body with which it is usually attached. The aim of the present study which was written based on SCARE 2020 protocol according to EQUATOR[4] is the presentation of a series of 5 cases which were surgically treated in the University Clinic of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery of G.Papanikolaou General Hospital in a 2.5 years time frame(9/2019-2/2022). Four of the patients were men(80%) (mean age 50.5 years, ranging from 36 to 71 years old) and one was a 63 year old woman(20%). All of the patients presented in the outpatient unit of the clinic with a painless mobile neck mass, that appeared euthyroid from the laboratory tests. All of the patients underwent surgical removal of the thyroglossal duct cyst and part of the hyoid bone at the same time (Sistrunk procedure). No regression was noticed in the frequent postoperative follow-up. In conclusion, thyroglossal duct cyst is a clinically evident entity which although is more often diagnosed and treated surgically in childhood, it can also appear in adults. It may be complicated with inflammation and appear as a painful neck swelling. The treatment of choice is surgical removal according to Sistrunk procedure.