ABSTRACT
The thyroglossal duct cysts (TGDCs) are the most common congenital anomaly of the
thyroid, usually manifested as painless midline neck mass. Malignancy is very rare
and is reported in around 1% of cases as an incidental finding after histopathological
evaluation of resected cyst. Papillary carcinoma is the most common carcinoma reported
in TGDC. Here, we report a case of 17-year-old-female, who presented with a gradually
increasing midline neck mass which moves with swallowing. On imaging a diagnosis of
infected TGDC was made. The Sistrunk operation was done and a diagnosis of primary
papillary carcinoma arising in a TGDC was rendered histopathologically. The contemporary
appearance of papillary carcinoma thyroid was reported in about 20% cases of TGDC
carcinoma, thus it is essential to differentiate primary papillary carcinoma arising
in a TGDC from those of metastatic papillary carcinoma thyroid by strict diagnostic
criteria.
Keywords
Papillary carcinoma - Sistrunk operation - thyroglossal duct
