Stepladder incision technique for radical excision of suprasternal thyroglossal duct remnant

Combined stepladder incision and Sistrunk procedure for en bloc resection of supraclavicular thyroglossal duct cysts

“…Thus, they can form at any site in the migratory region of the primitive thyroid gland [ 1 ]. However, they rarely form in the supraclavicular or suprasternal region, as in our case [ 2 ]. It has been hypothesized that when located suprasternally, the TGDC is more likely caused by an infection extending inferiorly rather than the result of the hyperdescent of the thyroglossal duct remnant [ 2 ].…”

“…It has been hypothesized that when located suprasternally, the TGDC is more likely caused by an infection extending inferiorly rather than the result of the hyperdescent of the thyroglossal duct remnant [ 2 ]. Thus, the differential diagnosis of an anterior cervical mass in children should include congenital dermoid cysts, ectopic thyroid tissue, cervical bronchogenic cysts and aberrant cervical thymus, in addition to TGDCs [ 2 ]. Furthermore, ultrasonography plays an important role in such cases.…”

“…Post-inflammatory fibrosis has been reported to be a risk factor for recurrence, and post-inflammatory fibrosis and disease recurrence are also risk factors for worse cosmetic outcomes [ 4 ]. The stepladder incision technique for radical excision of suprasternal TGDCs has also been previously reported [ 2 ]. Thus, even if the opening with the exudate is far from the hyoid bone, like in our case, this technique can be used to ensure that the hyoid bone and TGDC are straightforwardly cored out.…”