Abstract
Twenty-two cases of thyroglossal duct cysts were treated surgically in our hospital over the past 5 years. Histopathological examination of specimens obtained during surgery revealed that thyroid tissue was found in 14 cases of the 22 (63.6%). Since thyroglossal duct cysts are closely related to the generation of the thyroid gland, it is reasonable that thyroid tissue would sometimes be found in thyroglossal duct cysts. Further detailed investigation may reveal the incidence of thyroid tissue in these cysts to be quite high.
Thyroid tissue in the thyroglossal duct cyst is ectopic, and has a greater tendency to become cancerous than thyroid tissue in normal locations.
We suggest that thyroglossal duct cysts should be removed surgically at the earliest stage possible, because ectopic thyroid tissue is highly likely to be present.
