Cyst of the Thyroglossal Tract Mimicking a Laryngocele

The thyroglossal tract cyst (TTC) represents the most common congenital cervical mass, and it is mainly of interest to the pediatric population, with presentation in the form of a midline cervical mass. A recent lateralized or paramedian cervical mass occurring in an adult must first be eliminated as a malignant mass or laryngocele. We report the case of a 32-year-old young man, without any particular pathological history, who presented with a recent appearance of a right paramedian cervical mass adjacent to the thyroid cartilage. Preoperative CT scan revealed a cystic mass on the right, with a hemorrhagic component. Intraoperatively, the lesion was embedded in the infrahyoid muscles and it had connections with the anterior surface of the body of the hyoid bone. A Sistrunk procedure was performed. In most cases, a history and a meticulous physical examination are sufficient to make the diagnosis. The distinction between laryngocele and KTT must be made intraoperatively to avoid an inappropriate or incomplete surgical procedure. ENT surgeons must always expand the list of differential diagnoses when faced with a cervical cystic mass, in order to adapt the treatment in the event of an intraoperative surprise.