Thyroglossal duct cyst

Preliminary Diagnosis: Thyroglossal duct cyst

I. What imaging technique is first-line for this diagnosis

• CT soft tissue neck with IV contrast.

II. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of this technique for diagnosis of thyroglossal duct cyst.

Advantages

• Relatively inexpensive, fast imaging modality.

• Highly specific and sensitive for detecting and diagnosing a thyroglossal duct cyst.

• Can track the entire course of the thyroglossal duct cyst.

Disadvantages

• Exposes a patient to ionizing radiation.

III. What are the contraindications for the first-line imaging technique?

• May be contraindicated in pregnant patients.

IV. What alternative imaging techniques are available?

• MR of the neck with IV contrast

V. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of the alternative techniques for diagnosis of thyroglossal duct cyst.

MR of the neck with IV contrast

Advantages

• May help fine tune a differential diagnosis.

Disadvantages

• Expensive

• Time-consuming

• May be subject to dental hardware and motion artifact.

VI. What are the contraindications for the alternative imaging techniques?

MR of the neck with IV contrast

• Contraindicated in patients with non-MR compatible hardware.