Thyroglossal duct cyst is one of the most frequent midline cervical mass. It is congenital in origin, and resulting from retention of an epithelial tract between the thyroid gland and the foramen cecum Iinguae. Starting at the foramen cecum, the
thyroglossal tract passes down in the midline : first, through the tongue musculature and then, around the hyoid bone and larynx before ending at the thyroid isthmus on the trachea. Remnants may occur at any point along this pathway, and its
fistula
results from spontaneous rupture of cyst due to inflammation surgical drainage of the cyst, or inadequate excision.
One hundred cases of thyroglossal duct cyst who had been admitted to Hanyang University Hospital from June 1985 to May 1994 were analysed clinically. (Korean J Otolarynao1 39 : 5, 1996)
|