Hereditary thyroglossal duct cysts.

Thyroglossal duct cysts are one of the most commonly encountered benign neck lumps found in the paediatric population. Despite their relative frequency, reports of familial inheritance are rare. A total of 21 patients with hereditary thyroglossal duct cysts from seven families worldwide have been reported. The most common inheritance pattern is dominant, with a minority possibly representing a recessive aetiology. We describe a further instance of dominantly inherited thyroglossal duct cysts in two generations.