- Branchial cleft cyst type 1
- Branchial cleft cyst type 2
- Branchial cleft cyst type 3
- Branchial cleft cyst type 4
Approach to the differential diagnosis of branchial cleft cysts:
| Type | Prevalence | Course | Location | Symptom |
| First | 5% | External auditory canal to parotid | External auditory canal/parotid | Otorrhea |
| Second | 90% | Tonsil to low neck | Between sternocleidomastoid muscle and submandibular gland | |
| Third | Rare | Hypopharynx to supraclavicular | Post triangle, mandibular angle to mediastinum with 50% connecting to thymus | Thymic cyst |
| Fourth | Rare | Pyriform sinus to thyroid to low neck | Pyriform sinus to left thyroid | Recurrent thyroiditis |