Bilateral pharyngeal apparatus (branchial) sinuses in a set of identical twins--a case report.

Defective closure of the pharyngeal apparatus during the second week of gestation results in pharyngeal arch anomalies. Although pharyngeal apparatus (branchial) anomalies are frequently seen, bilateral cases are rare (only 2% to 3%). Bilaterality has a familial predisposition. Our patients, a set of identical twins, presented with bilateral discharging cervical sinuses noticed at 3 months of age. Physical examination was suggestive of bilateral pharyngeal apparatus (branchial) sinuses. Both patients were managed with surgical excision in the same operative sitting. To the best of our knowledge, ours is the first case of bilateral pharyngeal apparatus (branchial) sinuses in a set of identical twins.