Thyroglossal duct carcinoma: a rare entity

Thyroglossal dust cysts are commonly located over the neck centrally along the path of migration of the thyroid gland. The occurrence of malignancy within thyroglossal dust cysts is extremely rare with papillary carcinoma as the most common subtype. We highlight a case of a 30-year-old gentleman who presented with anterior neck swelling for a month which gradually increased in size. Subsequently post Sistrunk procedure with thyroid gland preservation, he was diagnosed with papillary carcinoma within a thyroglossal dust cyst. He recovered well with no evidence of recurrence with normal blood parameters after one year of follow-up. Although thyroglossal dust cysts malignancy is rare, every patient should be examined thoroughly for risk stratification for malignancy. Any swellings over neck region is warranted for a proper evaluation by the attending clinician.