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BackTable / ENT / Podcast / Episode #184
Thyroglossal Duct Cysts in Children: A Comprehensive Approach
with Dr. Christopher Liu
What is the best way to manage an infected thyroglossal duct cyst? In this episode, hosts Dr. Gopi Shah and Dr. Ashley Agan welcome Dr. Christopher Liu, associate professor of pediatric otolaryngology at UT Southwestern, to learn about his vast experience with evaluation and management of thyroglossal duct cysts and the nuances of other congenital neck masses.
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BackTable, LLC (Producer). (2024, August 6). Ep. 184 – Thyroglossal Duct Cysts in Children: A Comprehensive Approach [Audio podcast]. Retrieved from https://www.backtable.com
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Podcast Contributors
Dr. Christopher Liu
Dr. Christopoher Lieu is an associate professor at UT Southwestern Medical Center and practices at Children's Health in Dallas, Texas.
Dr. Gopi Shah
Dr. Gopi Shah is a pediatric otolaryngologist and the co-host of BackTable ENT.
Dr. Ashley Agan
Dr. Ashley Agan is an otolaryngologist in Dallas, TX.
Synopsis
First, Dr. Liu describes how thyroglossal duct cysts present. Patients often become aware of their cyst when a parent palpates a midline neck mass or when the cyst gets infected. Then, Dr. Liu describes non-operative management of thyroglossal duct cysts, including antibiotics to treat infection and cases in which drainage is appropriate. The conversation proceeds to surgical strategy, with Dr. Liu describing how his approach to cyst excision evolved over the years. The episode concludes with pearls on post-operative management and potential surgical complications.
Timestamps
00:00 - Introduction
02:53 - Understanding Thyroglossal Duct Cysts
11:48 - Managing Infected Thyroglossal Duct Cysts
14:02 - Antibiotic Choices & Drainage Techniques
21:05 - Imaging & Workup
25:39 - Surgical Approach and Techniques
27:29 - Koempel’s Technique for Thyroglossal Duct Cyst Surgery
39:04 - Surgical Complications, Risk of Recurrence, & Post-Operative Care
52:37 - Key Takeaways for Thyroglossal Duct Cyst Surgery
Resources
Dr. Christopher Liu’s UT Southwestern Profile:
https://utswmed.org/doctors/christopher-liu/
Jeffrey Koempel, “Thyroglossal Duct Remnant Surgery: A Reliable, Reproducible Approach to the Suprahyoid Region”:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25193588/
Transcript Preview
[Dr. Christopher Liu]
Actually, I think it's more of a 50/50 breakdown, but half of the kids that we see, parents bring them in because they notice a bump on the neck. It's never bothered the child and never been infected, and it's just been there. A lot of times parents will assume that it's an Adam's apple of some sort, because it's just right in that spot. They don't really think much of it until they mention it to the pediatrician, and the pediatrician sends them to us. That's half of the patients that we see.
The other half are patients who don't know they have a cyst until they have their first infection. Those patients will come in with an abscess or sudden increase in size, redness, pain, fever, swelling. That's the second type of thyroglossal duct cyst patient that we see. Usually, that's how they present. It's usually in those two kinds of scenarios that we see them.
Disclaimer: The Materials available on BackTable.com are for informational and educational purposes only and are not a substitute for the professional judgment of a healthcare professional in diagnosing and treating patients. The opinions expressed by participants of the BackTable Podcast belong solely to the participants, and do not necessarily reflect the views of BackTable.
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