THYROGLOSSAL DUCT CYSTS (17 CASES REPORT IN THE NATIONAL-HOSPITAL-OF-OUAGADOUGOU, BURKINA-FASO)

The thyroglossal duct cysts originate from thyroglossal duct involutio n default. The case record of 17 patients admitted for that disease in the ORL department of the national hospital of Ouagadougou during tho se past 7 years, is reviewed. They represent 1,5 % of patients operate d in this department during the same period, all diseases concerned. I n the present report, the thyroglossal duct cysts are essentially obse rved in children under 10 years old (13/17 patients). In most of the c ases (12/17), our patients have needed medical advice for an anterior cervical tumefaction 7 years after the first symptoms. Between clinica l and paraclinical findings we give preference to the first ones that can avoid, in most of-the cases, a lot of complementary tests which ar e of limited interest and too expensive in our countries. In the thera peutic field, the Sistrunk technic has been recognized since 1920 as t he best method. Our patients who have been operated according to that technic have no tendency to relapse.