Unusual Midline Neck Swellings – A Case Series

Background: Midline swelling of neck are common case scenarios of which thyroid swellings are most common. Ultrasound imaging of neck and FNAC are routinely used for diagnostic purposes. Cases: Here we report three unusual case scenarios. First is a case of papillary carcinoma of thyroid identified in a thyroglossal cyst excision specimen where thyroidectomy was done as an adjuvant procedure. Second is a case of extramedullary hematopoiesis of thyroid which served as a diagnostic indicator for a patient with chronic idiopathic myelofibrosis with no other symptoms. The third is a case of thyroid nodule which was pathologically a well differentiated tumour of uncertain malignant potential, which is an indolent lesion of borderline characteristics whose management varies according to radiological risk stratification. Conclusion: In cases of unusual scenarios of midline neck swellings, management scenarios differ from routine practice. It is important to have an understanding of these rare differentials to facilitate early diagnosis and avoid aggressive surgical management. Categories: General Surgery, Thyroid, Thyroglossal Cyst, Neck swellings.

Keywords: Thyroid, Thyroglossal cyst, Papillary thyroid carcinoma, WDT-UMP, Extramedullary hematopoiesis.