Branchial cleft anomalies and thymic cysts

Otolaryngol Clin North Am. 2015 Feb;48(1):1-14. doi: 10.1016/j.otc.2014.09.002.

Abstract

Branchial cleft anomalies are a common cause of congenital neck masses and can present as a cyst, sinus, or fistula. A comprehensive understanding of the embryologic basis of these anomalies aids in diagnosis and surgical excision. Fistulas tend to present at an earlier age than sinuses or cysts, with most lesions presenting as either a neck mass, draining sinus, or recurrent infections. The eventual management of each is complete surgical excision, which is curative. A history of recurrent preoperative infections leads to a higher rate of recurrence.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Barium
  • Branchial Region / abnormalities*
  • Branchial Region / surgery
  • Child, Preschool
  • Craniofacial Abnormalities / diagnosis*
  • Craniofacial Abnormalities / epidemiology
  • Craniofacial Abnormalities / surgery*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods
  • Male
  • Mediastinal Cyst / diagnosis*
  • Mediastinal Cyst / epidemiology
  • Mediastinal Cyst / surgery*
  • Multimodal Imaging / methods*
  • Otorhinolaryngologic Surgical Procedures / methods
  • Pharyngeal Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Pharyngeal Diseases / epidemiology
  • Pharyngeal Diseases / surgery*
  • Prognosis
  • Risk Assessment
  • Thyroglossal Cyst / diagnosis*
  • Thyroglossal Cyst / epidemiology
  • Thyroglossal Cyst / surgery
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed / methods
  • Ultrasonography, Doppler

Substances

  • Barium

Supplementary concepts

  • Branchial Cleft Anomalies