Ultrasonographic features differentiating thyroglossal duct cysts from dermoid cysts

Abstract

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to identify ultrasonographic features that can be used to differentiate between thyroglossal duct cysts (TGDCs) and dermoid cysts (DCs).MethodsWe searched surgical pathology reports completed between January 2004 and October 2015 and identified 66 patients with TGDCs or DCs who had undergone preoperative ultrasonography. The ultrasound images were reviewed by two radiologists who were blinded to the pathological diagnosis. They evaluated the following parameters: dimensions, shape, margin, location in relation to the midline, level in relation to the hyoid bone, attachment to the hyoid bone, the depth of the lesion in relation to the strap muscles, internal echogenicity, internal echogenic dots, multilocularity, the presence of a longitudinal extension into the tongue base, posterior acoustic enhancement, the presence of internal septae, and intralesional vascularity.ResultsThere were 50 TGDCs and 16 DCs. TGDCs were significantly more likely than DCs to have an irregular shape, an ill-defined margin, attachment to the hyoid bone, an intramuscular location, heterogeneous internal echogenicity, multilocularity, and longitudinal extension into the tongue base.ConclusionUltrasound findings may inform the differential diagnosis between TGDCs and DCs.

Comparison of Prevalence and Ultrasonography Features of Thyroglossal Duct Cyst in Adults According to Radioactive Iodine Ablation

“…In our study, most TGDCs were located in the suprahyoid neck (77.5%). Regarding the shape of TGDCs, our study findings were similar to those obtained in a recent US study of TGDCs that reported a round/ovoid shape (56%) [15]. In our study, there was no difference in the location or shape of TGDCs between the 2 radiologists.…”

Long-Term Ultrasound Follow-Up of Incidentally Detected Thyroglossal Duct Cysts in Adults

“…However, almost all TGDCs in our study presented as a purely anechoic mass without any internal septa or solid components but with posterior enhancement, consistent with the typical sonographic description. [2][3][4][5]12 This is likely because the TGDCs in the present study were relatively small and incidentally detected during screening of asymptomatic adults.…”

“…Prior studies have reported that TGDCs have a variable sonographic appearance ranging from typical anechoic to pseudosolid. [2][3][4][5] Nevertheless, to the best of our knowledge, no previous study has used sonography to follow changes in TGDCs.…”

Possible Risk Factors for Recurrence After Removal of Thyroglossal Duct Cysts with the Sistrunk Procedure

“…Unlike dermoid cysts, TGDCs have an irregular shape, heterogeneous internal echogenicity, and multilocularity in the USG images. 9 CT of the neck shows a hypodense mass with smooth borders. MRI helps to determine better the size and the borders of the mass, the invasion, and the malignancy.…”