Thyroglossal duct cyst is referred to as a fibrous cyst formed through a continual thyroglossal duct. It is characterized as a midline neck lump on the hyoid bone, and is smooth, cystic and painless. With a thyroglossal duct cyst, an individual can experience difficulty in breathing, swallowing (dysphagia) and/or discomfort in the upper abdomen (dyspepsia), particularly if the lump widens. It usually occurs in the midline or around it, between the hyoid bone or just above it and the isthmus of the thyroid. Thyroglossal cysts are generally linked with increased chances of ectopic thyroid tissue. Very rarely a lingual thyroid can be witnessed as a flattened strawberry-like lump at the base of the tongue.
