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Metastatic papillary thyroid carcinoma presenting as a typical branchial cyst

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 June 2007

I. D. McDermott  and
G. W. R. Watters
I. D. McDermott
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Northampton General Hospital, Northampton, UK.
G. W. R. Watters*
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Northampton General Hospital, Northampton, UK.
*
Address for correspondence: Mr G. W. R. Watters, Department of Otolaryngology, Northampton General Hospital, Cliftonville, Northampton NN15 5BD.
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Abstract

Two cases of papillary thyroid carcinoma presenting as a cystic lateral neck mass are reported. This tumour characteristically presents in patients under 40-years-old and in the presence of an occult primary tumour may mimic a branchial cyst. In such cases simple aspiration of the cyst will produce a chocolate-brown serous fluid which excludes the diagnosis of a branchial cyst and is characteristic of papillary thyroid carcinoma. Cytological examination of the fluid has a high degree of sensitivity and specificity in the diagnosis of thyroid malignancy and should avoid delay in diagnosis and unneccessary surgical exploration prior to definitive treatment.

Keywords

Thyroid neoplasmsCarcinoma, papillaryBranchioma

Information

Type
Clinical Records
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 110 , Issue 5 , May 1996 , pp. 490 - 492
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 1996

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