From the Research
The most effective treatment for a thyroglossal duct cyst is surgical removal via the Sistrunk procedure, which involves removing the cyst, the central portion of the hyoid bone, and the tract leading to the base of the tongue, as evidenced by the low recurrence rate of 0.6% reported in the study by 1.
Key Points
- Thyroglossal duct cysts are congenital neck masses that form from remnants of the thyroglossal duct, which normally disappears during fetal development.
- These cysts typically present as a painless midline neck mass that moves upward when swallowing or sticking out the tongue.
- The Sistrunk procedure is the recommended treatment for thyroglossal duct cysts, as it reduces the rate of recurrence from approximately 50 to 3-5% 2.
- The procedure involves removing the cyst, the central portion of the hyoid bone, and the tract leading to the base of the tongue.
- Antibiotics such as amoxicillin-clavulanate may be prescribed if the cyst becomes infected, but they are not a definitive treatment 3.
- Surgery should be delayed until any infection resolves.
- The Sistrunk procedure has been shown to be a safe and effective procedure, with a low recurrence rate and minimal complications 3, 1, 4.
Important Considerations
- The type of resection is the most important factor related to recurrence, with the Sistrunk procedure being the most effective 1.
- History of previous infection is also a significant predictor of postoperative recurrence 1.
- Ultrasound imaging is a reliable and appropriate imaging modality for most patients with thyroglossal duct cysts 4.
- Clinically diagnosed thyroglossal tract remnant may, in fact, be other pathologies in 10% of cases, highlighting the importance of thorough evaluation and diagnosis 4.