Stridor and lingual thyroglossal duct cyst in a newborn.

OBJECTIVE

To describe the diagnosis and management of lingual thyroglossal duct cyst in newborns.

CASE REPORT: A one-month-old girl presenting with inspiratory stridor and chest wall retraction was referred to our department for management of stridor. Upper airway endoscopy and neck CT scan showed a round mass at the base of the tongue causing upper airway obstruction. Computed tomography showed a well-circumscribed, low-density lesion at the base of the tongue. Endoscopic marsupialization of this lesion was performed under general anaesthesia. Histological examination confirmed the diagnosis of lingual thyroglossal duct cyst. No recurrence was observed 18 months after endoscopic treatment.

DISCUSSION/

CONCLUSION

Lingual thyroglossal duct cyst with airway obstruction is an uncommon aetiology of stridor in newborns with symptoms similar to those of laryngomalacia. The diagnosis is based on laryngoscopy. Surgical endoscopic removal is the treatment of choice. Recurrence after endoscopic treatment is rare.