Thyroglossal cyst in black patients.

During the 16-year period, July 1, 1959 to June 30, 1975, inclusively, there were only 20 patients with thyroglossal cyst found at the Howard University Hospital (0.03 percent of routine surgicals). There were 12 males and eight females, all of whom were black. Anatomic and histopathologic variations of thyroglossal cysts will be emphasized, and the pitfalls in diagnosis discussed. A brief review of the literature will be presented.