Use of Sagittal Magnetic Resonance Imaging for Multiple Thyroglossal Duct Cysts

Abstract

Multiple thyroglossal duct cysts are rare and difficult to diagnose accurately by usual radiography. We used Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) to detect the relation between these cysts and the hyoid bone. In a 3 year-old girl with a small submandibular mass, the ultrasound and computerized tomography showed multiple cysts in the anterior neck. Sagittal MRI showed a 1 cm irregular cyst under the hyoid bone and a 1.5 cm in diameter irregular cyst in the base of the oral cavity. Both cysts had low or intermediate signal by T1 intensity and high signal by T2 intensity. According to the Sistrunk's procedure, these 2 cysts including the central part of the hyoid bone were resected. Sagittal MRI findings may be helpful for diagnosis of multiple thyroglossal duct cysts.