Thyroglossal Duct Cyst with Papillary Carcinoma: What Must Be Done?

Abstract

The thyroglossal duct cyst must be studied in the adult population through fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) and a frozen section in cases in which FNAB is inconclusive or unavailable. When a diagnosis of a thyroglossal cyst carcinoma is made, an evaluation of the thyroid gland during surgery must be done as well as a careful examination to identify suspicious lymph nodes and neck dissection should be reserved for confirmed adenopathies. When an thyroglossal duct cyst has been excised using Sistrunk's procedure and the definitive histologic analysis reports malignancy, the thyroid gland must be studied. The extension of the surgery must be handled according to the criteria established for differentiated thyroid cancer.