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Children's health

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Original poster

Thyroglossal duct cyst - midline

27 replies

PlateSpinnerJuggler · 29/08/2021 11:01

So one of my DDs has the above.
We spotted it when she was 3 shortly after she had chicken pox - so probably the virus caused it to flair/grow and become apparent for first time.

At that time we were advised it was small and to leave it as it may never grow more and is causing no issue.

Since then it has grown.

She had an ultrasound just before covid and unfortunately I then didn't follow up until recently but knew from the sonographer at the time that it wasn't causing any issues.

But I followed up with gp recently for the results and it had grown to March 2020 (5-6years on) 3 fold.

I have an ENT appointment scheduled next month, but really wondering frim anyone experienced if there is a size above which it is recommended to remove??? Or if only it causes issues on thyroid or other areas?

I'm sure they'll scan again as we are a year and half on now... DD is now 10 and a half...

Thanks for any input!
From a curious mama

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Original poster

PlateSpinnerJuggler · 30/08/2021 12:23

Bump

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Original poster

PlateSpinnerJuggler · 31/08/2021 19:34

One more try... :)

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laselvar · 31/08/2021 19:45

DS1 had one when he was a toddler, the size of a small pea. He had it removed , was just in for day surgery, that was almost 20 years ago and he's never had any problems since.

pyjamarama · 31/08/2021 19:48

Leave it alone unless it is causing symptoms. She would also need testing to make sure she has a working thyroid gland (the US scan combined with blood test).

Original poster

PlateSpinnerJuggler · 31/08/2021 20:04

@pyjamarama

Leave it alone unless it is causing symptoms. She would also need testing to make sure she has a working thyroid gland (the US scan combined with blood test).

What are symptoms if thyroid isn't working?

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Original poster

PlateSpinnerJuggler · 31/08/2021 20:05

@pyjamarama

Leave it alone unless it is causing symptoms. She would also need testing to make sure she has a working thyroid gland (the US scan combined with blood test).

Once she's a teen do you think having an "adams apple" will be an issue - just so aware how cruel kids can be

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Couchpotato3 · 31/08/2021 20:07

What does DD think about it? Does she want it removed?

pyjamarama · 31/08/2021 20:23

Once she's a teen do you think having an "adams apple" will be an issue - just so aware how cruel kids can be

Does she want to swap it for an inch long scar?

Original poster

PlateSpinnerJuggler · 31/08/2021 20:25

@Couchpotato3

What does DD think about it? Does she want it removed?

No not at all... And I'm not pushing for it either. I'm just curious if there is a size over which an ENT would say it's safer to remove

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pyjamarama · 31/08/2021 20:27

What are symptoms if thyroid isn't working?

Occasionally a thyoglossal duct cyst contains the only working thyroid tissue & so if it is removed the patient would need to be on lifelong thyroid replacement tablets. Therefore it’s important to check that the patient has a working thyroid gland before removing the cyst.

takeawaydinner · 31/08/2021 20:28

I had one of these but it wasn't diagnosed until I was in my late 30's. My ENT consultant said that they develop while you are still in the womb. They generally present in children but on rare occasions they do not grow until you are an adult.
I never had an Adams apple type lump but looking back on photos I did have a very mild double chin at certain angles, despite being very thin.
In my late 30's it became very painful if touched which is when it was diagnosed and removed.
I was off work for a few weeks and fine after that. There is a scar but not very noticeable.

pyjamarama · 31/08/2021 20:28

No there is no size criteria that would mandate removal.

laselvar · 31/08/2021 20:44

DS does have a scar, but it is in the fold of his neck, so is not at all noticeable.
Between the decision to remove the cyst and the actual operation, the cyst became infected a few times, causing DS to look like he had a double chin.

Original poster

PlateSpinnerJuggler · 31/08/2021 20:58

@pyjamarama

What are symptoms if thyroid isn't working?

I'm pretty sure it's not impacting her thyroid - we've been aware of it for 7 years and had two ultrasounds and seen ent after first

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Original poster

PlateSpinnerJuggler · 31/08/2021 20:59

@takeawaydinner

I had one of these but it wasn't diagnosed until I was in my late 30's. My ENT consultant said that they develop while you are still in the womb. They generally present in children but on rare occasions they do not grow until you are an adult. I never had an Adams apple type lump but looking back on photos I did have a very mild double chin at certain angles, despite being very thin. In my late 30's it became very painful if touched which is when it was diagnosed and removed. I was off work for a few weeks and fine after that. There is a scar but not very noticeable.

Hers is very apparent - she too is very slim and tall

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Original poster

PlateSpinnerJuggler · 31/08/2021 21:00

@pyjamarama

No there is no size criteria that would mandate removal.

Thanks

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Original poster

PlateSpinnerJuggler · 31/08/2021 21:10

@laselvar

DS does have a scar, but it is in the fold of his neck, so is not at all noticeable. Between the decision to remove the cyst and the actual operation, the cyst became infected a few times, causing DS to look like he had a double chin.

That doesn't sound great! Do you recall how big the cyst was at the time?

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laselvar · 31/08/2021 21:32

The infections (I think it happened 3 times in the space of 2/3 months) were worse than the actual op to remove the cyst. The first 2 times his entire lower chin ballooned and he had to be admitted to hospital and given antibiotics intravenously.
Right from when our GP suspected it was a thyroglossal cyst we were told the best thing was to have it removed and after the infections, it was a relief when it was taken out.

Original poster

PlateSpinnerJuggler · 31/08/2021 21:39

@laselvar

The infections (I think it happened 3 times in the space of 2/3 months) were worse than the actual op to remove the cyst. The first 2 times his entire lower chin ballooned and he had to be admitted to hospital and given antibiotics intravenously. Right from when our GP suspected it was a thyroglossal cyst we were told the best thing was to have it removed and after the infections, it was a relief when it was taken out.

So interesting! I had read that they are often removed for preventative measures due to potential infections. But both the ent and paediatrician I saw when DD was 3 said leave it be it may never grow or cause any issue... Obviously I now know it has grown (three fold by mar 2020 - imagine more by now) - but no infections / issues to date...

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xxmyheartxx · 01/09/2021 15:41

My ds1 who was 6 had one appear in Jan 2019, it grew at a rapid rate, ended up with it being infected from pretty much end of April until it was removed in July 2019. Cant really see his scar as its in his fold of his neck. Have had no issues with re growth since.

Original poster

PlateSpinnerJuggler · 01/09/2021 16:29

@xxmyheartxx

Do you recall what size it reached?

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xxmyheartxx · 01/09/2021 16:48

Hopefully the pic is attached, without finding his discharge paperwork i cant recall the full size, I know they ended up tracking all the way to the base of his tongue to remove everything.

Original poster

PlateSpinnerJuggler · 01/09/2021 17:08

@xxmyheartxx

Hopefully the pic is attached, without finding his discharge paperwork i cant recall the full size, I know they ended up tracking all the way to the base of his tongue to remove everything.

Thanks for sharing! My DD is prob similar to top left - but has thankfully never been infected

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person1983 · 05/06/2023 13:08

Hello :) would anyone be able to share the name of the surgeon in London area?
My two year old has a thyroglossal duct cyst as well. freaking out if we should have it removed soon or wait a few years. Also, where's the most reliable place to do it? Any help would be appreciated.

takeawaydinner · 05/06/2023 16:00

Sorry, not UK based so no help. My GP referred me to an ENT consultant, so perhaps your GP is a good starting point.

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