Head and Neck Cancer Research

Epidemiology of Thyroglossal Duct Cysts in an Eastern Caribbean Nation

Aim: The thyroglossal duct cyst is the most common congenital cystic lesion in the neck. Seven percent of the population has persistence of this duct. It usually occurs in midline and is asymptomatic. The aim of this study is to see the epidemiology of this disease in an eastern Caribbean nation.

Design and methods: An 11 year’s retrospective study was performed at the San Fernando General Hospital from 1st January 2004 to 31st December 2014. All of patients who had a thyroglossal duct cyst excision from the surgical departments were reviewed. 17 patients were identified. Data on gender, ethnicity, age, reason for seeking medical attention and location of the cyst were extracted.

Results: M:F was 7:10, Ethnic distribution: East Indians 65% and Africans 35%, age range birth 51 years, symptomatic patients 65% (unique description of an infected right lateral thyroglossal duct cyst with suprahyoid, anterior hyoid and infrahyoid components), location: midline 71% and right lateral 29% with no left lateral cases.

Conclusions: Thyroglossal duct cysts at the San Fernando General Hospital have a mild female preponderance, range from birth to 51 years, is clinically evident soon after head and neck infection and have a higher occurrence of right lateral cysts at the suprahyoid level. An increased number of symptomatic and right lateral thyroglossal cysts were also noted in our population.

Author(s):

Gailann Jugmohansingh, Steve Medford, Shariful Islam

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