A thyroglossal duct cyst is found at the hyoid bone level in a 10-year-old. The Sistrunk procedure for its excision includes removal of which structure along with the cyst tract?
- A The central portion of the hyoid bone body and a core of tongue base musculature up to foramen cecum ✓
- B Total hyoid bone and ipsilateral anterior belly of digastric
- C The hyoid body and thyroid isthmus
- D The thyrohyoid membrane along with the entire thyroid cartilage
Correct answer: A. The central portion of the hyoid bone body and a core of tongue base musculature up to foramen cecum
Explanation
The Sistrunk procedure removes the thyroglossal duct cyst along with the central body of the hyoid bone and a core of tongue base musculature up to the foramen cecum, because the thyroglossal duct tract passes through or intimately relates to the hyoid and tongue base. Leaving the hyoid leads to high recurrence rates (~50%) versus ~4% recurrence with Sistrunk. The total hyoid is not removed — only the central body segment. Neither the thyroid isthmus nor thyroid cartilage is routinely excised.
Reference: Dhingra Diseases of Ear, Nose and Throat, 7th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.