From the Research
Thyroglossal duct cysts are most commonly located in the midline of the neck, with approximately 60-65% found at or just below the hyoid bone, as supported by the most recent and highest quality study available 1.
Locations of Thyroglossal Duct Cysts
- About 20-25% of cysts are located in the suprahyoid region
- 10-15% are found in the infrahyoid region
- Less commonly, 1-2% may be located at the base of the tongue or within the thyroid gland itself
Complications of Thyroglossal Duct Cysts
- Infection is the most frequent, occurring in 20-30% of cases, often presenting as painful swelling with redness and occasionally abscess formation
- Fistula formation occurs in approximately 5-10% of cases, especially after inadequate surgical removal or infection
- Malignant transformation is rare, occurring in only 0.7-1% of cases, with papillary thyroid carcinoma being the most common type, as reported in 2
- Recurrence after surgical excision occurs in approximately 5% of cases when the Sistrunk procedure is performed correctly, with postoperative infection and seroma being predictors of residual disease, as identified in 1
- Airway obstruction is an uncommon but serious complication, occurring in less than 1% of cases, typically with larger cysts or those located at the base of the tongue
The Sistrunk procedure is the standard treatment for thyroglossal duct cysts, and close follow-up is necessary to monitor for potential complications, as emphasized in 2. The study by 1 provides the most recent and highest quality evidence on the predictors of thyroglossal duct cyst recurrence and complications, and its findings should be prioritized in clinical decision-making.