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AJNR - American Journal of Neuroradiology

Published ahead of print on May 27, 2009
doi: 10.3174/ajnr.A1627

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American Journal of Neuroradiology 30:1804-1806, October 2009
© 2009 American Society of Neuroradiology

Case Report
PEDIATRICS

The Rare Third Branchial Cleft Cyst

M.J. Joshi^a, M.J. Provenzano^b, R.J.H. Smith^b, Y. Sato^c and W.R.K. Smoker^c

^aFrom Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science (M.J.J.), Chicago, Ill
^bDepartments of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery (M.J.P., R.J.H.S.)
^cDiagnostic Radiology (Y.S., W.R.K.S.), University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, Ia

Please address correspondence to Wendy R.K. Smoker, MD, FACR, Department of Radiology-Neuroradiology Division, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, 200 Hawkins Dr 0453-G JCP, Iowa City, IA 52242-1078; e-mail: wendy-smoker{at}uiowa.edu

SUMMARY: Third branchial cleft cysts (BCCs) are rare entities that represent abnormal persistence of the branchial apparatus. On CT examination, these cysts appear as homogeneous low-attenuation masses with well-circumscribed margins; on MR imaging, they demonstrate variable signal intensity on T1-weighted images and are hyperintense relative to muscle on T2-weighted images. Definitive treatment is surgical excision. We present a case of a third BCC and describe its diagnosis and treatment.