Preoperative computed tomography of suspected thyroglossal duct cysts in children under 10-years-of-age

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to evaluate the preoperative computed tomography (CT) features of thyroglossal duct cysts (TDCs), with the main purpose of evaluating criteria helpful in differentiating TDCs from other lesions in children under 10-years-of-age.MethodsA retrospective chart review was performed at Chonnam National University Hospital for the period of March 2005 to June 2011. Pediatric patients under 10-years-of-age with suspected TDCs were divided into two groups depending on their histopathologic diagnosis.ResultsOf the 29 pediatric patients with suspected TDCs, 16 patients (55%) had histopathologically confirmed TDCs. Thirteen patients (45%) had dermoid cysts (n = 6), ranula (n = 3), and inflammatory lesions (n = 4). There were no statistically significant differences between the preoperative CT findings and the final histopathologic diagnosis of TDC. There were no major complications resulting from surgical interventions.ConclusionCT is not helpful in differentiating TDC from other lesions in children under 10-years-of-age. Therefore, we suggest that preoperative CT of suspected TDCs in children should be performed more selectively.