A case of gigantic thyroglossal duct cyst that caused dysphagia

Abstract

Thyroglossal duct cyst (TDC) is often discovered as a midline neck mass and usually develops during the first decade of life. The most common presenting symptom is an asymptomatic neck mass. We describe the rare case of a gigantic TDC that expanded and caused dysphagia. The patient was a 97-year-old man who had noticed a neck mass about 50 years earlier. After slow but progressive growth, the previously asymptomatic mass began to cause dysphagia. The mass measured 15 cm in diameter and was painless and elastic-soft. Pharyngeal exclusion and salivary effusion in the hypopharynx were seen on fiberscopic examination. Computed tomography showed a clear-margined, unilocular mass located in the left side of the neck. Under a diagnosis of TDC, cystic enucleation was performed with the patient under general anesthesia. Pathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of TDC. Dysphagia resolved within 10 days postoperatively.