BACKGROUND: This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of thyroglossal duct cysts (TGDCs) on ultrasonography (US) and US features of TGDCs in adults, and to assess whether the prevalence or size of TGDCs increases after radioactive iodine ablation (RIA).

MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between July and December 2018, 2820 patients underwent thyroid or neck US examination, performed by 2 radiologists, at our center. On the basis of real-time US, the presence or absence of TGDCs was prospectively investigated by 2 radiologists. Among the 2820 patients, 54 patients who were <19 years of age or had a radiation therapy history to the neck were excluded. Eventually, 2766 patients were included.

RESULTS: Of the 2766 patients, 160 (5.8%) showed a TGDC on US. The mean size of TGDCs in RIA history (+) (n=36) and RIA history (–) (n=124) groups was 0.92±0.41 cm and 0.86±0.45 cm, respectively. There was no significant difference in size of TGDCs between RIA history (+) and RIA history (–) groups (p=0.684). Between the TGDC (+) and TGDC (–) groups, there was no significant difference in patient age, gender, reason for thyroid/neck US, type of thyroid surgery, and session number and application/no application of RIA (p>0.05). The prevalence rate of TGDCs in radiologist A and B was 4.9% (70/1427) and 6.7% (90/1339), respectively. TGDCs were more common in the suprahyoid neck, and the common shapes of TGDCs were flat-to-ovoid and round.

CONCLUSIONS: RIA may not be associated with the prevalence or enlargement of TGDCs.

Keywords: Prevalence, Radioisotopes, Thyroglossal Cyst, Thyroidectomy, Ultrasonography, Ablation Techniques, Adolescent, Aged, 80 and over, Carcinoma, Papillary, Child, Child, Preschool, Infant, Iodine, Iodine Radioisotopes, Thyroid Gland, Tomography, X-Ray Computed