Thyroglossal Duct Remnant: Seven Years Analysis

Abstract

To analyze the clinico-pathological findings and surgical outcome in a patient population that
underwent surgical procedures for the excision of the thyroglossal duct remnant (TGDR) i.e., cyst
or sinus. A retrospective descriptive study was performed to include all patients of thyroglossal
duct remnant who underwent the surgical procedures at National Academy of Medical Sciences,
Nepal form April, 1998 to April, 2005 A.D. Age, sex, position of the thyroglossal duct remnant, histopathology
of the lesion, type of surgery and its outcome with particular emphasis on recurrence
were noted. All data were obtained from the patients’ admission charts. Thirty clinically diagnosed
thyroglossal duct remnant were enrolled in this study. Twenty-seven were histopathologically confirmed
thyroglossal duct remnant and remaining three patients were dermoid cyst and tuberculous
lymphadenopathy and were excluded from the study. The sex distribution was almost equal. The
commonest age group affected by TGDR was less than twenty years (70.38 %) and commonest site
was midline subhyoid (85.19 %). The post-operative complication rate of thyroglossal duct remnant
was 18.51 % in the present study. Thyroglossal duct remnant is the commonest congenital cervical
lesion in the pediatric population. Other clinical conditions of neck can masquerade as thyroglossal
duct remnant so histopathological confirmation is mandatory. Sistrunk operation is the standard
treatment to minimize recurrence.

Key Words: Recurrence; Sistrunk operation; Thyroglossal duct remnant.