J Endocr Surg.  2022 Dec;22(4):138-142. 10.16956/jes.2022.22.4.138.

Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma in a Separate Pyramidal Lobe Mimicking Thyroglossal Duct Cyst Carcinoma: A Case Report

• Kang IK
• Jung CK
• Kim K
• Park J
• Kim JS
• Bae J

• KMID: 2538529
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.16956/jes.2022.22.4.138

Abstract

There are sparse cases of carcinoma arising from the pyramidal lobe (PL). Thyroglossal duct cyst (TGDC), which is the most common anomaly concerning the thyroid gland, is typically where malignant changes arise. Here we report a case of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) occurring in front of the thyroid cartilage, thus mimicking TGDC carcinoma but having a final diagnosis of PL carcinoma. A 52-year-old female presented with a palpable neck mass. Preoperative ultrasound revealed a 3-cm-sized solid and cystic nodule in the infrahyoid area of the neck. Another 6-mm-sized nodule in the left lobe of the thyroid gland was also observed. Fine needle aspiration cytology revealed that both lesions were PTC. A computed tomography scan was performed to determine the extent of surgery, which confirmed the ultrasound TGDC carcinoma diagnosis. The patient underwent a Sistrunk operation and left lobectomy of the thyroid gland. Histopathology showed PTC findings, but no TGDC tissue was present. Thus, PTC arising from the PL was confirmed in the final pathology. PL carcinoma in the neck’s thyrohyoid area should be considered.

Keyword

Thryoid cacner; Papillary thyroid carcinoma; Thyroglossal duct cyst