Thyroglossal duct cyst: a comparison between children and adults

PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to evaluate the differences in the clinical characteristics of thyroglossal duct cysts (TGDC) between children and adults and to find a method for optimizing management of TGDC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study consisted of a retrospective chart review of patients with a diagnosis of TGDC from 1997 to 2002. All records were reviewed for age and sex, season of first visit, diagnostic methods, sizes and locations of cysts, surgical management, and recurrences. Differences between children and adults were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 84 patients (32 children, 52 adults) were recruited. There were no significant differences in sex in either group. Compared with children, more adult patients had left-sided and infrahyoid cyst locations. The cyst sizes were significantly larger in adults. In this review, 90.4% of adults and 75% of children underwent a Sistrunk operation, whereas the others underwent cyst excision. There was a total of 5 recurrences, 2 in children and 3 in adults. CONCLUSION: Although the recurrence rates between children and adults and between different surgical managements were not significantly different, a Sistrunk procedure is recommended as the main operation of choice, especially in adults in whom a more extended tract resection should be performed.