Recent News and Articles on the Keywords: thyroid cyst + thyroid cysts + thyroid  Related to the article below (Last Update: 8/5/2008)

What does a thyroid cyst mean?

 Your daughter's cyst sounds like a thyroglossal duct cyst.

This is a defect which is present from birth but does not show itself until later in childhood, most commonly in preschools aged children or during mid adolescence, although it can appear at any age.

It is not malignant (a cancerous tumour) and does not become malignant; the main problems are caused by it becoming infected or getting in the way of other structures in the neck.

Your daughter's thyroid gland developed when she was an embryo, moving down her neck through a canal called the thyroglossal duct. This duct should disappear but sometimes parts of the duct remain leaving pockets called cysts.

These can fill with fluid or mucous; they may enlarge if they become infected. If very big, they can make swallowing or breathing difficult by blocking the throat.

The commonest ways a thyroglossal cyst may show itself are:

• as a small soft round lump in the front of the neck
  
• a sore, red, swollen lump, if it becomes infected
  
• a small opening in the skin near the lump which leaks mucous or fluid
  
• difficulty swallowing or breathing if the lump points to the inside of the throat

  Your daughter needs to see a paediatric specialist to make sure that the lump is definitely due to a thyroglossal cyst as other rarer neck lumps can cause similar problems.

• The specialist will probably include certain tests as part of the assessment. These may include:
  

• blood tests to check how your daughter's thyroid gland is functioning
  
• ultrasound scan to see exactly where the lump lies in relation to the thyroid gland and the rest of her throat and neck
  
• thyroid scan in which a tiny dose of radioactive iodine or technetium (a radioactive metal) is injected into her bloodstream. It is taken up by the thyroid gland to shows up its outline and function.

  Your specialist will discuss your daughter's treatment thoroughly with you. It may involve antibiotics if the lump is infected and surgery to remove the cyst and the thyroglossal duct which is still present.

  Her exact treatment will depend on:
  

• her age, general health and any previous illnesses
  
• how big the lump is
  
• whether it is infected
  
• how much it is interfering with other structures in her neck
  
• her tolerance and your opinions

  A thryoglossal cyst has a small chance of regrowing if small pieces of duct or cyst tissue are left behind after surgery.

  However if it is not operated on it will not usually disappear of its own accord, although it may vary in size depending on whether it fills up with fluid or becomes infected.

  We recommend readers seek personal medical attention in appropriate circumstances.