Thyroglossal Duct Cyst, Base of the Tongue vs. Teratoma, Base of the Tongue

Thyroglossal Duct Cyst, Base of the Tongue vs. Teratoma, Base of the Tongue

Left picture: Due to the age of the patient, the midline location of the mass, topography, as well as the structural characteristics in the MRI, the diagnosis is a thyroglossal duct cyst of the base of the tongue. Differential diagnostically an epidermoid cyst has to be considered. The diagnosis of a thyroglossal duct cyst was confirmed by the histological examination of the operative preparation. Right picture: Following the verification of a thyroid gland at the normal site by a scintiscan, the mass was completely removed. Histologically, a teratoma was found.

Left picture: 4.3-year-old boy with hypersalivation and dysphagia. There is an obstruction of the posterior part of the oral cavity by the base of the tongue without a recognizable pathology. Right picture: Newborn who shows a moderate respiratory distress syndrome, and with whom feeding by the mouth is impossible. There is an obstruction of the oral cavity by the base of the tongue. On close inspection of the mouth a spherical mass protrudes at the base of the tongue; therefore, radiological imaging was not performed. Left picture: MRI following contrast application, sagittal slice: There is contact of the base of the tongue with the soft palate and the uvula; therefore, no free passage from the oral cavity to the mesopharynx is possible. The increase of the volume of the base of the tongue is caused by a rounded mass on the midline and sized 2 by 2 cm, with contrast accumulation in its wall. The picture at the bottom shows a horizontal slice of the same examination: The mass occupies the posterior third of the tongue.