Abstract

OBJECTIVES
To report a rare case of thyroglossal duct cyst carcinoma which presented with obstructive sleep apnoea, and to highlight the difficulties in making this clinical diagnosis.
METHOD
Case report and review of the English language literature concerning thyroglossal duct cyst carcinoma.
RESULTS
Thyroglossal duct cyst carcinoma is a rare clinical entity found in only approximately 1 per cent of all patients operated upon for thyroglossal duct cyst. This condition usually presents in an identical manner to its benign counterpart; atypical presentations have not previously been reported. Our patient is the first reported case of a thyroglossal duct cyst carcinoma first presenting with symptoms of obstructive sleep apnoea, without a neck mass. Complete surgical excision with total thyroidectomy and lymph node clearance was performed, in view of the positive lymph node metastases (seen on imaging) and the need for post-operative radioiodine therapy.
CONCLUSION
Thyroglossal duct cyst carcinomas may present atypically, posing a diagnostic dilemma for the clinician. For patients diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnoea, it is imperative that a thorough otolaryngological examination be performed to exclude any underlying pathology.

Links

Publisher Full Text

Authors

See AX, Chua DY, Chan YM, Goh CH

Institution

Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Republic of Singapore.

Source

The Journal of laryngology and otology 126:8 2012 Aug pg 864-6

MeSH

Adult
Airway Obstruction
Carcinoma, Papillary
Female
Humans
Lymph Node Excision
Lymphatic Metastasis
Sleep Apnea, Obstructive
Thyroglossal Cyst
Thyroid Neoplasms
Thyroidectomy
Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Pub Type(s)

Case Reports
Journal Article

Language

eng

PubMed ID

22697131