Thyroglossal duct carcinoma

Kahairi A, Ahmad RL, Wan Islah L, Hasmah H
Correspondence: Dr Kahairi Abdullah, kahairiabd@yahoo.com.my

ABSTRACT
We report a 56-year-old Malay woman with a tumour that involved the skin and caused hyoid bone erosion. There was no clinical or radiological evidence of regional lymph node involvement. A modified radical neck dissection with preservation of the accessory nerve and internal jugular vein was performed, followed by an “extended” Sistrunk operation. The surgical defect was reconstructed with a pectoralis major myocutaneous flap. Our literature review showed that this is the first reported thyroglossal duct carcinoma which involved the skin and required a pedicle flap reconstruction.

Keywords: hyoid bone lesion, thyroglossal duct carcinoma, thyroid gland carcinoma, thyroidectomy
Singapore Med J 2009; 50(12): e404-e406