THYROGLOSSAL DUCT REMNANTS - INFRAHYOID EXTENSION AS A CAUSE OF RECURRENCE

Ten children were admitted with recurrences of thyroglossal duct remna nts (TDRs) during the years 1978-1993. Unexcised infrahyoid extension of the thyroglossal duct was found to be the cause of recurrence in 3 cases, whereas the remainder were due to misdiagnosis and inappropriat e surgery. After surgical treatment, these three cases were evaluated regarding the cause of recurrence. The treatment of choice for these l esions is the Sistrunk procedure. The complete Sistrunk procedure solv es the problem in the majority of patients, but in cases with infrahyo id extension tracing of the extension is required. It is concluded tha t an appropriately performed Sistrunk procedure assures a complete cur e in the vast majority of cases of TDRs; however, routine exploration for and excision of the occasional infrahyoid extensions is recommende d for the prevention of recurrence.