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Papillary thyroid carcinoma in a lateral neck cyst: primary of ectopic thyroid tissue versus cystic metastasis

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 June 2013

J J Xu ,
K Kwan  and
K Fung
J J Xu
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
K Kwan
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
K Fung*
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
*
Address for correspondence: Dr K Fung, Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, Victoria Hospital, Room B3-427 800 Commissioners Road East London, OntarioCanada, N6A 5W9 Fax: +1 519 685 8567 E-mail: kevin.fung@lhsc.on.ca
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Abstract

Objective:

To review the diagnosis of primary papillary carcinoma of ectopic thyroid tissue within branchial cleft cysts, and to discuss the diagnostic challenge of differentiating this condition from metastatic disease when an occult microcarcinoma is found in the thyroid gland.

Methods:

These comprise a case report and a literature review. We present the case of a 75-year-old woman with papillary thyroid carcinoma within the wall of a recurrent, 15 cm, lateral neck cyst.

Results:

Histological examination of the patient's thyroid gland found a 0.5 mm papillary thyroid microcarcinoma.

Conclusion:

Our differential diagnosis was primary papillary carcinoma arising from ectopic thyroid tissue, or metastatic cystic degeneration of a lateral lymph node. We make an argument for the former.

Keywords

Thyroid, EctopicNeoplasms, ThyroidBranchial CystCarcinomas, Papillary
Type
Clinical Records
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 127 , Issue 7 , July 2013 , pp. 724 - 727
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2013 

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