It is cystic swelling developed in the remnant of the thyroglossal tract. A portion of the thyroglossal duct may remain patent which gives rise to a cystic swelling due to accumulation of secretions and this is known as thyroglossal cyst.

It appears at any age, but majority of the patients are between 15 to 30 years of age. This cyst is more commonly seen in women. There is a painless swelling in the neck. It is usually a midline swelling except when it is below the thyroid cartilage where it may shift to one side, more commonly to the left. The lump may be present for many years. Pain in the cyst is almost always associated with the infection of the cyst.

A thyroglossal cyst may develop anywhere along the thyroglossal tract starting from foramen caecum to the isthmus of the thyroid gland, but according to frequency, its position may vary. Thryroglossal cyst is spherical or oval with the long axis along the thyroglossal tract. Though it is a cystic swelling, yet the consistency is often firm or hard depending upon the tension of fluid within the cyst. The cyst can be moved sideways but not vertically. The cyst moves with deglutition. It moves up with protrusion of the tongue.

Treatment-

Treatment of the thyroglossal cyst is the excision of the cyst.

• Written by Dr. Simran Kaur.
• In category Diseases.
• 13 years ago.

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