You may have felt a lump in the upper middle portion of your neck. Or maybe you saw it in your child. This swelling may be a thyroglossal duct cyst, a benign mass in the neck which is a condition treated by an ENT doctor.
What are Thyroglossal Duct Cysts?
Thyroglossal duct cysts or TGDCs are a type of cyst that develops from remnants of the thyroglossal duct, which is a tube-like structure that forms during the development of the thyroid gland in the embryo. When you were a fetus in your mother’s womb, the thyroid primordium (first stage of development) was originally located at the back of you tongue (foramen cecum). As you grow as a fetus during pregnancy, this then goes down into its location lower down in the neck in front of the trachea or windpipe.
In the process of going down, this tube or thyroglossal duct, is supposed to close off. However, in some cases, due to an error in embryologic development, it does not. Sometimes, parts of the thyroglossal duct can remain in the neck after the thyroid gland has fully formed, and these remnants can develop into cysts. TGDCs can occur anywhere along the path of the thyroglossal duct, from the base of the tongue to the thyroid gland.
thyro=thyroid
glossus= tongue
Symptoms of a Thyroglossal Duct Cyst
The most common symptom of a TGDC is a painless, smooth, movable lump in the midline of the neck, usually just below the hyoid bone (which is above the thyroid cartilage or Adams apple). The hyoid bone is a U-shaped bone located in the neck that supports the tongue and other structures.
The lump may appear larger and also move when you swallow, cough or yawn. TGDCs are usually painless lumps. However, when they become infected, it may become painful, causing redness, warmth, and tenderness in the affected area.
How Common are TGDCs?
TGDCs are relatively common, affecting about 1 in every 100,000 people. They can occur in people of all ages, but they are more common in children and young adults, usually between the ages of 2 and 40. It is the most common congenital anomaly in the neck seen by an ENT doctor.
How Are TGDCs Treated?
The treatment for a TGDC usually involves surgical removal. This is because TGDCs can become infected and cause abscesses, which can be very painful and may require emergency treatment.
In addition, leaving a TGDC untreated can increase the risk of complications, such as the development of a fistula, which is an abnormal opening between the skin and the inside of the body.
What Happens If a TGDC Is Not Removed?
If a TGDC is not removed, it may continue to grow and become more uncomfortable or even painful. In addition, it may become infected and require emergency treatment.
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