REVIEW PAPER
Branchial cleft cysts: a pictorial review
 
More details
Hide details
 
Publication date: 2018-05-11
 
 
Pol J Radiol, 2018; 83: 204-209
 
KEYWORDS
ABSTRACT
Cystic masses of the neck may represent a wide variety of pathological conditions. Among these, branchial anoma­lies are the commonest paediatric congenital lesions of the head and neck. This article intends to review this condition under the same headings, as well as facilitate their diagnosis with the help of appropriate radiological findings of patients diagnosed with these anomalies. In order to make an accurate diagnosis, it is imperative to have an idea about the possible differentials, and the normal embryological development of the branchial arches, as well as their anomalies, in the form of sinuses, fistulae, and cysts, with their features and subtypes. The medical history of the patient and clinical manifestations helps in suspecting branchial cleft cysts; confirmatory imaging modalities include computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasonography, and fine-needle aspiration. The mainstay of management is usually by surgical excision. The location, clinical picture, and radiological correlation, along with a strong degree of suspicion for the condition, facilitates the diagnosis of this relatively common embryological anomaly.
 
REFERENCES (27)
1.
Goff CJ, Allred C, Glade RS. Current management of congenital branchial cleft cysts, sinuses, and fistulae. Curr Opin Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2012; 20: 533-539.
 
2.
Koch BL. Cystic malformations of the neck in children. Pediatr Radiol 2005; 35: 463-477.
 
3.
Al-Ghamdi S, Freedman A, Just N, et al. Fourth branchial cleft cyst. J Otolaryngol 1992; 21: 447-449.
 
4.
Houck J. Excision of branchial cysts. Oper Tech Otolayngol Head Neck Surg 2005; 16: 213-222.
 
5.
Benson MT, Dalen K, Mancuso A, et al. Congenital anomalies of the branchial apparatus: embryology and pathologic anatomy.
 
6.
Radiographics 1992; 12: 943-960.
 
7.
Cote DN, Gianoli GJ. Fourth branchial cleft cysts. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 1996; 114: 95-97.
 
8.
Deane SA, Telander RL. Surgery for thyroglossal duct and branchial cleft anomalies. Am J Surg 1978; 136: 348-353.
 
9.
Aronsohn RS, Batsakis JG, Rice DH, et al. Anomalies of the first branchial cleft. Arch Otolaryngol 1976; 102: 737.
 
10.
Finn DG, Buchalter IH, Sarti E, et al. First branchial cleft cysts: clinical update. Laryngoscope 1987; 97: 136-140.
 
11.
Telander RL, Deane SA. Thyroglossal and branchial cleft cysts and sinuses. Surg Clin North Am 1977; 57: 779-791.
 
12.
Work WP. Newer concepts of first branchial cleft defects. Laryngoscope 1972; 82: 1581-1593.
 
13.
Work WP. Cysts and congenital lesions of the parotid gland. Otola­ryngol Clin North Am 1977; 10: 339-343.
 
14.
Quintanilla-Dieck L, Virgin F, Wootten C, et al. Surgical Approaches to First Branchial Cleft Anomaly Excision: A Case Series. Case Rep Otolaryngol 2016; 2016: 3902974.
 
15.
Bailey H. Branchial cysts and other essays on surgical subjects in the facio-cervical region. Lewis & Company, London 1929.
 
16.
Som PM, Sacher M, Lanzieri CF, et al. Parenchymal cysts of the lower neck. Radiology 1985; 157: 399-406.
 
17.
Som P. Cystic lesions of the neck. Postgrad Radiol 1987; 7: 211-236.
 
18.
Miller MB, Rao VM, Tom BM. Cystic masses of the head and neck: pitfalls in CT and MR interpretation. AJR Am J Roentgenol 1992; 159: 601-607.
 
19.
Choo MJ, Kim YJ, Jin HR. A case of second branchial cleft cyst with oropharyngeal presentation. J Korean Med Sci 2002; 17: 564-565.
 
20.
Harnsberger H. Handbook of head and neck imaging. 2nd ed. Mosby – Yearbook, St. Louis 1995.
 
21.
Telander RL, Filston HC. Review of head and neck lesions in infancy and childhood. Surg Clin North Am 1992; 72: 1429-1447.
 
22.
Koeller KK, Alamo L, Adair CF, Smirniotopoulos JG. From the Archives of the AFIP: Congenital cystic masses of the neck: Radiologic- pathologic correlation. Radiographics 1999; 19: 121-146.
 
23.
Foxx SD, Smoker WR, Johnson MH, et al. Pediatric neck masses: Solid and cystic (a review). Radiologist (Baltimore) 1995; 2: 331-342.
 
24.
Jeyakumar A, Hengerer AS. Various presentations of fourth branchial pouch anomalies. Ear, Nose Throat J 2004; 83: 640-644.
 
25.
Nicollas R, Guelfucci B, Roman S, Triglia JM. Congenital cysts and fistulas of the neck. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol 2000; 55: 117-124.
 
26.
Franciosi JP, Sell LL, Conley SF, Bolender DL. Pyriform sinus malformations: a cadaveric representation. J Pediatr Surg 2002; 37: 533-538.
 
27.
Nicoucar K, Giger R, Pope HG, et al. Management of congenital fourth branchial arch anomalies: a review and analysis of published cases. J Pediatr Surg 2009; 44: 1432-1439.
 
Journals System - logo
Scroll to top