PRESENTATION AND MANAGEMENT OF A THYROGLOSSAL DUCT CYST WITH A PAPILLARY CARCINOMA

Thyroglossal duct carcinoma is rare, and its presentation is similar t o that of a thyroglossal duck cyst: a nontender, palpable mass in the midline locations, Rapid increase in growth may be a sign of malignanc y, but the diagnosis is based an the pathology of the cyst, Initial tr eatment of thyroglossal duct carcinoma is the same surgical procedure used for removal of a thyroglossal duct cyst, Further surgery depends on the finding of thyroid nodules or positive lymph nodes but is rarel y necessary, The recurrence rate after simple excision is low, Postope rative radioiodine ablation or radiation is considered in cases of rec urrence or metastasis, In this report, we describe a patient with a ne w-onset, nontender, neck mass who had a Sistrunk procedure for a presu med thyroglossal duct cyst and was found to have papillary carcinoma.