Article Sections

Introduction

Congenital neck masses are developmental anomalies that usually arise from embryologic remnants and can be diagnosed in infancy, childhood, or adulthood.  These masses may be asymptomatic or become apparent due to infection, growth, or cosmetic concerns.  Most congenital neck masses are benign but require evaluation to exclude other pathologies and determine the need for surgical intervention.

This article discusses the 4 most common types of congenital neck masses:

  • Thyroglossal duct cyst.
  • Branchial cleft cyst.
  • Cystic hygroma.
  • Ectopic thymic cyst.

A dermoid cyst, another type of congenital neck mass, contains trapped skin structures (eg, hair follicles, sebaceous glands) within subcutaneous tissue ( Figure 1).  Dermoid cysts form along embryonic fusion lines and can occur on the midline of the neck.

Thyroglossal duct cyst

Pathogenesis

In utero, the thyroid gland originates from an outpouching of pharyngeal epithelium at the foramen cecum along the base of the tongue (

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Tables

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