A 5-year-old child presents with a midline neck swelling that moves upward with swallowing and tongue protrusion. Ultrasound shows a cystic lesion in the midline at the level of the hyoid bone. What is the definitive treatment?
- A Aspiration and sclerotherapy
- B Sistrunk procedure ✓
- C Antibiotics
- D Observation
Correct answer: B. Sistrunk procedure
Explanation
Thyroglossal duct cyst is definitively treated with the Sistrunk procedure, which involves excision of the cyst, the central portion of the hyoid bone, and a tract of tissue up to the foramen cecum. This approach reduces recurrence to less than 3 percent. Simple excision without hyoid removal has a recurrence rate of up to 50 percent.
Reference: Bailey and Love's Short Practice of Surgery, 28th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.