A clinical photograph of an adult male depicting a prominent midline neck mass, consistent with a thyroglossal duct cyst. The patient's neck is slightly extended, revealing a well-circumscribed, ovoid, and globular swelling located in the anterior midline of the neck, specifically at the level of the hyoid bone and inferior to the submental region. The overlying skin is intact and appears unremarkable, without signs of erythema, inflammation, ulceration, or fistulous tracts. This visual presentation is characteristic of a congenital thyroglossal duct anomaly, which typically manifests as a painless, mobile midline mass that often moves superiorly with tongue protrusion or swallowing. The image serves as a clinical example for Otolaryngology and General Surgery education, emphasizing the anatomical localization and physical characteristics necessary for the differential diagnosis of midline neck swellings, such as dermoid cysts or ectopic thyroid tissue.

This clinical photograph displays a 2-year-old female patient with a prominent anterior neck swelling, characteristic of an infected thyroglossal duct cyst (TGDC). The lesion is located near the midline in the thyrohyoid region, slightly below the mandibular level. The swelling is approximately 1-2 cm in diameter, presenting as a raised, nodular mass with a circular to oval morphology. The surface exhibits a yellowish-brown crusting and erythema of the surrounding skin, suggesting an inflammatory or infectious process, such as an abscess or a draining fistula. This image serves as a clinical example of a common congenital midline neck mass in pediatric otolaryngology, illustrating the typical presentation of a thyroglossal duct cyst when secondary infection occurs. It is an essential visual reference for differential diagnosis of pediatric neck masses, distinguishing TGDC from other entities like dermoid cysts or lymphadenopathy based on its characteristic anatomical position.

A two-panel clinical photograph illustrating a physical examination finding of a midline neck mass. Image (a) shows the lateral profile of a patient's neck at rest, revealing a smooth, rounded, subcutaneous swelling located in the midline near the hyoid region. Image (b) shows the same patient during tongue protrusion; the midline mass moves superiorly in coordination with the tongue movement. This specific physical sign (movement with tongue protrusion) is a classic clinical indicator of a thyroglossal duct cyst, reflecting its embryological attachment to the base of the tongue via the foramen cecum. The images are relevant for medical education in head and neck examination, surgical pathology, and endocrinology, specifically for differentiating midline neck masses such as dermoid cysts, ectopic thyroid tissue, and thyroglossal duct cysts.

Clinical photograph (preoperative) showing the anterior neck and upper chest of a patient. The central focus is a prominent, well-defined, round cystic swelling located in the midline at the suprasternal notch. The mass is approximately 5-6 cm in diameter and protrudes significantly from the surrounding skin surface. The overlying skin appears intact without erythema or ulceration. This presentation is characteristic of a thyroglossal duct cyst or other congenital midline neck masses like dermoid cysts. Anatomical landmarks include the sternocleidomastoid muscles and the clavicular heads. Incidental findings include decorative tattoos on the submental region and the upper chest, along with a small melanocytic nevus on the left upper chest. The image demonstrates the typical clinical manifestation of a low-lying midline neck cyst, which is an important diagnostic consideration in pediatric and adult surgical pathology.

This dual-panel ultrasound image displays a thyroglossal duct cyst in the anterior neck. Panel (a) is a long-axis grayscale ultrasound with color Doppler showing a well-circumscribed, hypoechoic, oval structure. The interior contains numerous tiny, hyperechoic foci, consistent with proteinaceous or inflammatory debris. The color Doppler overlay confirms the absence of internal vascularity, while posterior acoustic enhancement (through transmission) is visible, confirming the cystic nature of the mass. Panel (b) shows a transverse grayscale ultrasound at the midline (ML LT), identifying the lesion's paramidline position. The cyst is located adjacent to the hyperechoic thyroid cartilage and is positioned deep to the strap muscles (indicated by the white arrow). This appearance is characteristic of an infrahyoid thyroglossal duct cyst, with internal complexity suggesting a history of prior infection or high protein content. The imaging is diagnostic for identifying midline congenital neck masses and differentiating them from solid lesions.

This composite figure displays diagnostic imaging of a long-standing infected thyroglossal duct cyst in a 29-year-old male. (a) Transverse greyscale ultrasound shows an oval, well-defined cystic lesion at the midline neck. It features low-level internal echoes (white arrows) and posterior acoustic enhancement (arrowheads), consistent with complex fluid. (b) Transverse color Doppler ultrasound demonstrates increased peripheral vascularity around the cyst wall (white arrow), indicating an inflammatory process. (c) Axial contrast-enhanced CT scan at the level of the thyroid cartilage reveals a well-circumscribed, homogeneous, hypoattenuating cystic lesion. The lesion is located slightly off-midline, embedded within the left strap muscle. It exhibits a prominent peripherally enhancing rim (white arrow) without internal calcifications or solid enhancing components. These findings are characteristic of an infected thyroglossal duct cyst, a common midline developmental remnant that may deviate from the midline when located caudally near the thyroid gland.