Thyroglossal duct remnants presenting as a lump in the neck are usually cal
led thyroglossal cysts. Meticulous dissection of the cyst and duct, along w
ith the body of the hyoid bone (Sistrunk's operation) is necessary to avoid
recurrence. The authors have reviewed the histology of 61 consecutive spec
imens diagnosed preoperatively as thyroglossal cysts and have found that a
true cyst exists in only 46 per cent of cases.