Congenital Obstructive Goitre vs. Cystic Lymphangioma

Left picture: The diagnosis is a congenital obstructive goitre. Right picture: In this patient a cystic lymphangioma of unusual location is present, which has been confirmed by surgery and histology. Due to the described characteristics, a thyroglossal duct cyst is less probable. In case of doubt, an ultrasound should be performed.

Except for the age (a toddler on one side, a newborn on the other) there is no difference between the two patients at first sight; both have in the middle of the neck a large midline mass. Left picture: This pathology of the presented neonate is firm on close examination. Right picture: In this toddler, the finding is cystic on palpation, but not tight. Left picture: In addition, the mass suggests the presence of two parts lying close to the midline.