Lingual thyroglossal duct cyst causing death in a four-week-old infant.
A 12-mm spherical thyroglossal duct cyst at the base of the tongue caused the death of a four-week-old infant by obstructing the glottis. Previous case reports of this rare entity indicate that the supine position aggravates airway obstruction. Proof of a cause and effect relationship between such a cyst and death is difficult in the sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) age group because of nonspecific findings associated with asphyxia and SIDS. Autopsy should include a thorough examination of the oral cavity to detect such lesions.
D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000209:etiology*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D013398:Sudden Infant Death / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D013955:Thyroglossal Cyst / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology; D014059:Tongue / Q000473:pathology