Hi
Thanks for telling me about your thyroglossal cyst.
This is an abnormal type of cyst which is formed from the development of the thyroid gland itself. Although most are usually benign in nature, and may not necessarily cause you any trouble, we may advise surgery to remove the thyroglossal cyst if:
1) the cyst becomes infected especially if this happens repeatedly
2) the cyst continues to grow and enlarge
3) there is any clinical suspicion that the cyst may have transformed into something more worrying or sinister: Approximately 1% of thyroglossal cysts may turn out to harbour cancer cells.
Usually we check your thyroid function to make sure that the thyroid gland is working normally as rarely, the thyroglossal cyst may be the only active tissue secreting the thyroid hormone which is important for us to know before we take the cyst out, as this may render the patient hypothyroid or underactive in thyroid hormone levels.
We also arrange for an ultrasound of the thyroid gland and thyroglossal cyst to be performed to confirm our diagnosis.
Surgery may be done as a daycase if the cyst is small but many patients choose to stay overnight as some may have a drain inserted into the wound for 24 hours to prevent the formation of a blood clot in the space remaining inside after the cyst is removed.
Hope the above helps in letting you decide whether to remove the cyst. Many patients tend to present to us when it becomes infected or inflamed or painful…
