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Obstructive sleep apnoea in a case of thyroglossal duct cyst carcinoma

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 June 2012

A X See ,
D Y K Chua ,
Y M Chan  and
C H K Goh
A X See
Affiliation:
Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Republic of Singapore
D Y K Chua*
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Singapore General Hospital, Republic of Singapore
Y M Chan
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Singapore General Hospital, Republic of Singapore
C H K Goh
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Singapore General Hospital, Republic of Singapore
*
Address for correspondence: Dr D Y K Chua, Department of Otolaryngology, Singapore General Hospital, Outram Road, Singapore169608 E-mail: dennis.chua.yk@gmail.com
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Abstract

Objectives:

To report a rare case of thyroglossal duct cyst carcinoma which presented with obstructive sleep apnoea, and to highlight the difficulties in making this clinical diagnosis.

Method:

Case report and review of the English language literature concerning thyroglossal duct cyst carcinoma.

Results:

Thyroglossal duct cyst carcinoma is a rare clinical entity found in only approximately 1 per cent of all patients operated upon for thyroglossal duct cyst. This condition usually presents in an identical manner to its benign counterpart; atypical presentations have not previously been reported. Our patient is the first reported case of a thyroglossal duct cyst carcinoma first presenting with symptoms of obstructive sleep apnoea, without a neck mass. Complete surgical excision with total thyroidectomy and lymph node clearance was performed, in view of the positive lymph node metastases (seen on imaging) and the need for post-operative radioiodine therapy.

Conclusion:

Thyroglossal duct cyst carcinomas may present atypically, posing a diagnostic dilemma for the clinician. For patients diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnoea, it is imperative that a thorough otolaryngological examination be performed to exclude any underlying pathology.

Keywords

Thyroglossal Duct CystCarcinomaObstructive Sleep ApnoeaSymptomsAirway Obstruction
Type
Clinical Records
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 126 , Issue 8 , August 2012 , pp. 864 - 866
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2012

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Footnotes

Presented at the 14th ASEAN ORL Head & Neck Congress, 12–14 May 2011, Sarawak, Malaysia

References

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