Immunoglobulin A defines secretions from salivary tissue in post-Sistrunk procedure drainage.

Objectives: This was a pilot study to establish a protein difference between thyroglossal duct cyst fluid relative to oral saliva, in order to differentiate patients with residual thyroglossal cyst from those with salivary fistula in the case of post-Sistrunk procedure incisional drainage. Past immunohistochemistry studies on archived tissue blocks from post-Sistrunk procedure patients have shown MUC5AC to have elevated concentrations in thyroglossal duct relative to salivary tissue; secretory immunoglobulin A (IgA) was also chosen as a candidate protein based on previously published reports of its increased concentration in saliva relative to respiratory secretions.

Design: Diagnostic tests were assessed.