Concurrent Thyroglossal Duct Cyst and Dermoid Cyst in a Pediatric Patient

Concurrent Thyroglossal Duct Cyst and Dermoid Cyst in a Pediatric Patient

Among the most frequently encountered congenital midline cervical masses in the pediatric population are thyroglossal duct cysts and dermoid cysts. While both of these entities should be considered in the differential diagnosis of an anterior midline neck mass, the two may occur simultaneously in rare instances. We present the case of a 4 year-old girl who presented with what appeared to be a single, anterior neck mass that extended into the floor of mouth on pre-operative imaging. During surgical excision, two completely separate cystic masses were identified; one in the floor of the mouth and another immediately superior to the hyoid bone. We present this case to increase awareness to the rare circumstance of a dual diagnosis in the evaluation of a pediatric neck mass and to illustrate the importance of preparing the patient and the parents for a Sistrunk procedure pre-operatively. We recommend that surgeons prepare for a Sistrunk operation when considering an excision of any mass in the midline, near midline, or floor of mouth in a pediatric patient.