Seven cases of branchial cyst and sinuses in four generations

7 cases of isolated branchial anomalies distributed in four consecutive generations of a Central Indian family are described: 6 were males and 1 was female. 3 members had a left-sided branchial sinus, 1 had a right-sided sinus, 2 had bilateral sinuses, and 1 had a right-sided cyst. The family shows that branchial (lateral cervical) cysts and sinuses are inherited as autosomal dominant characters, and that the two anomalies are indistinguishable genetically.