Complications and Diagnosis of Branchial Cleft Cysts: A Case Report

Abstract

Branchial cleft cysts (BCCs) are congenital anomalies that can be found in children and young adults. The exact incidence of these anomalies is unknown as the diagnosis may be missed. Branchial cleft cysts can present in a variety of locations depending on the cleft they are derived from. Regardless of location, branchial cleft cysts are rather benign. However, a variety of complications can arise due to infection, and infections are often recurrent. Diagnosis may occur incidentally on imaging studies as such studies are often performed to rule out a variety of complications from infections alone. Treatment includes first treating any infection and any such complications that exist, followed by surgical excision. Surgical excision is performed to prevent the recurrence of infection. A case of a 14-year-old female with a painful swollen throat, trismus, and difficulty swallowing is reported.

A Rare Presentation of a Branchial Cleft Cyst: Can It Cause Syncope in a Pediatric Patient?

“…While both lymphomas and benign cysts present with painless swellings, lymphomas are solid masses, unlike cysts which are usually soft. Certain features on ultrasound, such as lack of Doppler flow, can also aid in differentiating solid masses from cysts [6].…”

Treatment of recalcitrant esophagocutaneous fistula by platelet-rich-plasma-fibrin glue: A case study

“…They usually appear at the end of childhood or adolescence when a previously unknown cyst gets infected. Only a very small percentage may present for the first time in adulthood [ 3 ]. The cysts are approximately constant in their position in the neck, anterior to the sternocleidomastoid muscle [ 4 ].…”