Papillary carcinoma in thyroglossal duct cyst: Two case reports and review of the literature.

The thyroglossal duct cyst is one of the more common congenital anterior neck masses. In rare cases, carcinoma has been detected within one of these cysts on histopathologic analysis of resected tissue. Since the incidence of thyroglossal duct cyst carcinoma is low, the appropriate management of the thyroid gland proper is not algorithmic. We present 2 cases of papillary thyroid carcinoma that were discovered in a thyroglossal duct cyst, and we describe the diagnostic and therapeutic measures taken in each case. Particular attention is paid to two points: (1) fine-needle aspiration biopsy may not be sufficient to rule out carcinoma and (2) removal of the thyroid gland may be advisable in selected situations.