A 4-month-old male infant was referred to Kanazawa Medical University Hospital because of a history of cough, dyspnea and difficulty of feeding since age 1 month. He was never cyanotic, nor febrile. Inspiratory stridor and dysphagia were present and were accentuated by excitement. Physical examination disclosed a 1.5cm×1.5cm, smooth, cystic mass under the base of the tongue which of the neck projected toward oropharynx. Lateral view of X-ray film showed a mass which located at the base of tongue overlying the epiglottis. Ultrasonogram confirmed a cystic mass. Thyroid scan showed the thyroid gland in the normal position. Marsupialization of the mass was performed. Histologic examination revealed a cyst the wall of which consisted of the connective tissue with mild chronic inflammation. The epithelial lining was lost. Postoperative course was uneventful. Two months later, the child remains asymptomatic without recurrence. The thyroglossal duct cyst offers the most logical explanation for the occurence of this lingual cyst.
