S u m m a r y: Medial cysts are the most frequent inborn cervical anomaly in childhood. They develop in some subjects in the thyroglossal duct unless the latter is obliterated during embryonic life. Assessment of a correct diagnosis involves in the first place examination of the neck and usually is not associated with major difficulties. Treatment is surgical and must be always preceded by examination of the thyroid gland. At the Paediatric ENT Clinic in Brno during 1990-1999 90 patients age 9 months to 15 years (mean age 6.1 years) were operated with the diagnosis of a medial cervical cyst. Treatment involved in all instances excision of the cysts with resection of the body of the hyoid bone according to Sistrunk. Surgical revision was called for in nine patients (10%). These results are compared with hitherto published results of other authors.

        Key words: thyroglossal duct, medial cysts, diagnosis, thyroid gland.