Thyroglossal Duct Cyst
A thyroglossal duct cyst is the most common lump in the midline of a child's neck. Before birth, the thyroid gland travels from the back of the tongue down to its place in the lower neck. The path it follows normally closes. When part of it stays open, fluid can collect there and form a cyst.
The cyst is usually a smooth, painless lump just above or below the Adam's apple. It moves up when your child swallows or sticks out their tongue. It often first appears after a cold, when it can swell, become red and tender, or drain.
Treatment is surgery once any infection has settled. The whole tract is removed together with the middle part of the hyoid bone, an operation called the Sistrunk procedure. Removing the tract rather than the cyst alone is what keeps it from coming back. See thyroglossal duct cyst excision.
