Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Budgerigar with neck cyst causing trouble breathing and tiredness
By Proa-Castillo, Reyes et al.·Published in Journal of comparative pathology·2025·Programa de Trabajo Profesional en el Hospital de Aves de Ornato·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Histopathological and immunohistochemical characteristics of a thyroglossal duct cyst in a budgerigar (Melopsittacus undulatus).
- Species:
- bird
Plain-English summary
A 7-year-old budgerigar was brought in for breathing problems and lethargy, and a mass was found in the neck area. After examining the bird, veterinarians discovered a fluid-filled cyst that was causing the symptoms. The cyst was surgically removed, and these types of cysts generally have a good prognosis, meaning the bird is likely to recover well after treatment. This case highlights the importance of checking for neck masses in birds, as they can often be treated successfully.
People also search for: budgerigar breathing problems · bird neck mass treatment · thyroglossal duct cyst in birds
Abstract
A thyroglossal duct cyst is a developmental disorder that occurs in the neck, widely described in humans and rarely reported in animals. This paper describes the microscopic and immunohistochemical characteristics of a thyroglossal duct cyst in a 7-year-old budgerigar (Melopsittacus undulatus) that presented with dyspnoea and lethargy and a radiopaque tissue mass in the ventral region of the neck that did not involve vertebrae or muscles. At necropsy, a fluid-filled cystic structure (3.2 × 2.9 cm) was identified. Microscopically, the cyst was lined by stratified squamous epithelium and had a thick wall composed of cuboidal epithelial cells that formed follicles, occasionally occupied by homogeneous eosinophilic colloid. These cells were immunopositive for thyroglobulin and thyroid transcription factor 1. This is the first report of a thyroglossal duct cyst, which is a mass on the neck that develops from cells and tissues remaining after the formation of the thyroid gland, in companion birds. Thyroglossal duct cysts in humans and animals have a good prognosis and can be successfully removed surgically, hence the importance of considering them as a differential diagnosis in birds that develop masses in the neck region.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40592121/