Infrahyoid Thyroglossal Duct Cyst Causing Airway Compromise in a Neonate: Surgical Management and Review of Literature

Thyroglossal duct cyst (TGDC) rarely becomes symptomatic in the neonatal period unlike other congenital neck swellings which present with high airway obstruction. An infrahyoid TGDC presenting with airway compromise in a neonate is even rarer. We hereby report a newborn with significant respiratory distress necessitating intubation and ventilation since birth. He had multiple extubation failures and signs of upper airway obstruction post-extubation. Computed tomography demonstrated a cystic lesion, probably an infrahyoid TGDC compressing the laryngeal lumen. The cyst was removed by Sistrunk procedure and histopathology confirmed the diagnosis. The child was discharged 5 days after surgery and was asymptomatic on follow-ups.