Abstract

A histopathologic observation of 35 congenital cysts of the neck (19 branchial cysts and 16 thyroglossal duct cysts) obtained during a period of 10 years, 1958 to 1967, at the department of pathology, College of Medicine, Seoul National University, is presented. The sex ratio of male and female of branchial cyst was 8: 11. The age distribution of branchial cysts showed the highest frequency in the decade of 21-30 (36.9%) and also considerably high frequencies in the decade of 11-20(31.5%). Branchial cysts were usually located along theanterior border of the sternocleidomastoid muscle and above or below the sternocleidomastoid muscle in the lateral aspect of the neck. Microscopically there observed stratified squamous epithelial linings in 68.4% of the total cases and lymphoid tissues in 89.5%, among which sinusoids are noted in 78.9% of the cases. The sex ratio of male and female of thyroglossal duct cyst was 3:5. The age distribution of the thyroglossal duct cyst showed the highest frequency in the decade of 0-10(31.3%) and also considerably high frequency in the decade 21-30 (25.0%). The thyroglossal duct cysts were usually located in the median portion of the anterior aspect of the neck. Microscopical1y stratified squamous linings are observed in 37.5% of the cases and pseudostratified ciliated columnar in 31.3%. No lymphoid tissues are reserved and there are noted normal thyroid follicles in the cyst wall in 37.5% of the cases.