Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma in Thyroglossal Duct Cyst: A Case Report and Review of Management Strategies

Thyroglossal duct cysts (TGDCs) are common congenital neck anomalies, with approximately 1% undergoing malignant transformation, most frequently into papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). We report a case of a 50-year-old woman with a four-year history of a painless, progressively enlarging midline cervical mass. Imaging revealed a mixed solid-cystic lesion with calcifications and suspicious lymphadenopathy. A Sistrunk procedure and total thyroidectomy confirmed PTC within the TGDC and thyroid gland. Postoperative radioactive iodine therapy was administered, and the patient remains recurrence-free. TGDCa management remains controversial, with the Sistrunk procedure as the cornerstone of treatment. Total thyroidectomy and radioiodine therapy are recommended in high-risk cases or synchronous thyroid involvement. Early diagnosis and tailored management are essential for optimal outcomes. This case highlights the importance of considering TGDCa in the differential diagnosis of cervical masses.