Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma Arising in a Thyroglossal Duct Cyst Presenting as a Submental Mass: A Case Report
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Case Report
Abstract: Background: Malignant transformation of a thyroglossal duct cyst is a rare but well-recognized entity, with an estimated incidence of less than 1%.Papillary thyroid carcinoma represents the predominant histological subtype in this setting.Preoperative diagnosis remains particularly challenging, as clinical and radiological features often overlap with those of benign cysts. Case presentation:We report a 25-year-old woman with no significant past medical history who presented with a progressively enlarging submental mass over a one-year period.Clinical examination revealed a firm, well-defined 3 cm mass located to the left of the hyoid bone, mobile with swallowing and tongue protrusion.Cervical ultrasonography demonstrated a hypoechoic heterogeneous mass containing microcalcifications, with a morphologically normal thyroid gland.Contrast-enhanced CT and MRI further characterized the lesion as a multilobulated cystic mass with heterogeneous enhancement and calcific foci, without clear evidence of intramuscular invasion.Thyroid function tests were within normal limits.Complete surgical excision was performed, and histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of papillary thyroid carcinoma arising within a thyroglossal duct cyst.Conclusion: This case underscores the importance of considering malignancy in any atypical or persistent midline neck mass.Definitive diagnosis relies on histopathological examination, and the Sistrunk procedure remains the standard surgical approach.Adjuvant therapy should be individualized based on pathological findings and risk stratification.
Institution: Hôpital 20 Août
Language: English
Topic: Head and Neck Anomalies
Subfield: Surgery
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W7203759707