J Korean Soc Radiol.  2011 May;64(5):445-448. 10.3348/jksr.2011.64.5.445.

Concurrent Papillary Carcinoma Arising in Thyroglossal Duct Cyst and Thyroid Gland: A Case Report

• Kim KT
• Kim YJ
• Kim SJ
• Cho YU
• Jeon YS
• Kim YJ

• KMID: 2040812
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3348/jksr.2011.64.5.445

Abstract

The occurrence and diagnosis of thyroglossal duct carcinoma is very rare. The synchronous occurrence of papillary carcinomas arising in a thyroglossal duct cyst (TGDC) and thyroid gland is extremely rare. Sistrunk's surgical technique must always be the initial treatment for a TGDC. However, if there is an intra-thyroidal carcinoma or local invasion, thyroidectomy has to be considered. Accurate pre-operative radiological evaluation should be performed in order to plan a surgical strategy. The aim of this report was to review our experience in the management of papillary thyroid carcinoma associated with TGDC. Our patient was a 67-year-old man who had a mural, micro-calcified nodule within a palpable, thick-walled cyst at the level of the hyoid and synchronously, a small macro-calcified mass in the isthmus of the thyroid gland.

MeSH Terms

Aged
Carcinoma
Carcinoma, Papillary
Humans
Thyroglossal Cyst
Thyroid Gland
Thyroid Neoplasms
Thyroidectomy
Carcinoma
Thyroid Neoplasms

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Concurrent papillary carcinomas arising in the thyroglossal duct cyst and thyroid gland in a 67-year-old man. A. Axial sonogram shows a 1-cm, intramural, micro-calcified nodule (white arrow) within an irregular thick walled cystic mass (black arrows). The cystic mass was located below the level of the hypoid bone. B. Axial sonogram shows a 1.8 × 0.8 cm heterogeneous hypoechoic nodule with calcifications (white arrow) in the isthmus of the thyroid. C. Axial contrast-enhanced CT scan shows a 2.6 × 2.0 cm cystic mass with septation at the level of the thyroid (white arrow), representing the thyroglossal duct cyst. D. Sagittal contrast-enhanced CT scan shows an enhancing mural nodule (white arrowhead) in a cystic mass (white arrow).

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