Double thyroglossal duct cyst located in the hyoid region and the tongue base: an unusual coexistence

Kulak Burun Bogaz Ihtis Derg. 2011 Mar-Apr;21(2):106-9. doi: 10.5606/kbbihtisas.2011.010.

Abstract

Thyroglossal duct cysts originate from persistent epithelial remnants of the thyroglossal duct that are present during the descent of the thyroid gland from the foramen cecum to its final position in the anterior neck. Thyroglossal duct may persist anywhere along the descent from the tongue to the thyroid. Lingually localized thyroglossal duct cysts are congenital lesions of the pharynx, which are very uncommon and may cause morbidity and mortality if not treated expeditiously. Double thyroglossal cysts and the complete failure of the obliterative process of thyroglossal duct are very rare in the literature. In this article, we describe a case of two cysts derived from the same thyroglossal duct, one in the hyoid region and the other in the tongue base. To our knowledge, this coexistence has not been described previously in the literature.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Biopsy, Fine-Needle
  • Child, Preschool
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hyoid Bone / pathology*
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Thyroglossal Cyst / congenital
  • Thyroglossal Cyst / pathology*
  • Thyroglossal Cyst / surgery
  • Tongue / pathology*