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We report on the appearance of parathyroid, thyroid, and cervical thymic cysts on computed tomography (CT) scans. The differential diagnostic considerations include thyroglossal and branchial cleft cysts, cystic hygromas, primary and metastatic tumors, dermoids, teratomas, choristomas, tracheoesophageal and cervical bronchogenic cysts, as well as cystic neuromas, abscesses, and lipomas. Most cannot be differentiated using CT alone and require clinical observations, laboratory testing, and surgical and histologic findings for definitive diagnosis. Our experience with these rare lesions is reported, and the differential diagnoses are discussed.

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A retrospective analysis of surgically proved cases of thyroglossal duct cysts was performed in an attempt to determine the characteristics of these lesions using computed tomography (CT). We evaluated 12 preoperative cases and two cases with postoperative complications. Ten patients with lesions that could be confused either clinically or radiographically with these cysts were also evaluated to develop a systemized radiologic differential diagnostic approach for the evaluation of anterior triangle neck lesions. CT enables the differentiation of thyroglossal duct cysts from other anterior triangle lesions based on location, CT values, and alterations in the adjacent soft tissues.

Anomalous branches of the internal carotid artery are rarely demonstrated angiographically. Cases of the ascending pharyngeal, occipital, Vidian (pterygoid canal), and posterior inferior cerebellar arteries arising from the internal carotid artery are presented. A case of anomalous origin of the anterior cerebral artery from the internal carotid artery at the level of origin of the ophthalmic artery is also described. Brief embryological explanations of the vascular anomalies are given.