Case Report: A Branchial Cleft Anomaly Presenting as an Oropharyngeal Mass

Abstract

Branchial anomalies are common cervical pathologic entities encountered in the fi eld of otolaryngology and are typical in the pediatric and young adult populations. In most cases, these anomalies present as a cyst, sinus, or fi stula in a rather stereotypical fashion. When a branchial anomaly deviates from the classic presentation, an improper diagnosis and inadequate management are more likely to occur, leading to an increased recurrence rate. We present a case of a 6-year-old girl with an incidental fi nding of a right posterior oropharyngeal wall mass, distinctly separate from the tonsillar fossa, which was found on pathologic analysis to be a branchial cleft anomaly. Th e theories regarding the pathogenesis of branchial anomalies are presented, along with other cases of atypical branchial anomalies.

Transoral robotic surgery-assisted excision of a congenital cervical salivary duct fistula presenting as a branchial cleft fistula

“…He also demonstrated injection techniques and, in his case, he removed the posterior pillar without doing a tonsillectomy. Thaler et al described 2 cases of branchial cleft anomalies presenting as oropharyngeal masses, both associated with the tonsillar region and Mullin and Merz presented a case involving the posterolateral oropharynx, but not associated with the tonsil, and discussed the possible embryological significance of this finding as it relates to the various theories of branchial cleft anomaly development. In 2005, Chang et al reported finding salivary gland tissue in the lower neck and postulated ectodermal heteroplasia of the precervical sinus of His.…”