Korean J Otorhinolaryngol-Head Neck Surg.  2008 Jun;51(6):581-584.

Recurrent Bronchiolitis in an Infant: An Unusual Presentation of Lingual Thyroglossal Duct Cyst

• Park CS
• Kim JH
• Kim SY
• Cho JH

Abstract

A lingual thyroglossal duct cyst (lingual TGDC) is a rare congenital airway anomaly that forms as a result of incomplete involution of embryonic thyroid tissue. It is typically located at the base of the tongue. It accounts for only 0.5% to 2% of the total thyroglossal duct cyst. Lingual TGDCs are frequently associated with respiratory and feeding difficulties in infants. It may cause even sudden death with acute airway obstruction in early infancy. We experienced an unusual case of an infant who suffered from recurrent episodes of bronchiolitis due to huge lingual TGDC. It was treated by excising the cyst and the surrounding lingual muscles. We describe the clinical course and review the literature.

Keyword

Infant; Recurrent; Bronchiolitis; Lingual TGDC

MeSH Terms

Airway Obstruction
Bronchiolitis
Death, Sudden
Humans
Infant
Muscles
Thyroglossal Cyst
Thyroid Gland
Tongue