Bilateral lymph node metastases from a thyroglossal duct cyst carcinoma

Abstract

We report the case of a 47-year-old female patient with a history of total thyroidectomy 20 years
before due to multinodular goiter, with palpable jugular-carotid lymph nodes in both side of the neck.
The fine needle aspiration biopsy revealed bilateral lymph node metastases of a papillary thyroid carcinoma. A thyroglossal duct cyst was found on ultrasound and computed tomography scan. Surgery: Sistrunk procedure plus selective central and bilateral selective neck dissection. Pathology report: papillary thyroid carcinoma in a thyroglossal duct cyst with lymph node metastases. Thyroid gland
tissue may be present in 5-7% of thyroglossal duct cysts; 1% may develop cancer and cervical lymph node metastases will occur in 7-15% We report a rare condition with unusual clinical presentation: bilateral enlargement of neck lymph nodes with a positive fine needle aspiration biopsy that guided the search for the primary tumor.