Sonographic diagnosis of coexisting ectopic thyroid and fourth branchial cleft cyst

Abstract

Ectopic thyroid and fourth branchial cleft anomaly are rare congenital anomalies of the neck. This is a case report of the coexistence of these two rare congenital anomalies in a 1‐year‐old girl. She had ectopic lingual thyroid and asymptomatic abscess in the fourth branchial cleft cyst, which was found in ultrasonography carried out to evaluate congenital hypothyroidism. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of ectopic thyroid coexisting with fourth branchial cleft anomaly in the same patient.

Prenatal tomography ultrasound imaging diagnosis of fetal pyriform sinus cysts (third or fourth branchial cleft cyst): A case report

“…The pyriform sinus is a crucial anatomical structure of the pharynx and larynx, which comprises symmetrical aryepiglottic folds and lateral pharyngeal walls on both sides. PSCs are rare branchial anomalies that occur in the pyriform sinus, and are also known as third or fourth branchial cleft cysts 1–3 . Histologically, distinguishing between the origin of the third or fourth branchial arch relies mainly on its relationship with the recurrent laryngeal nerve; however, this distinction cannot be made through imaging techniques, 4 leading to their collective reference as PSCs.…”

“…PSCs are rare branchial anomalies that occur in the pyriform sinus, and are also known as third or fourth branchial cleft cysts. [1][2][3] Histologically, distinguishing between the origin of the third or fourth branchial arch relies mainly on its relationship with the recurrent laryngeal nerve; however, this distinction cannot be made through imaging techniques, 4 The cyst cavities associated with third and fourth branchial cleft anomalies are located within the piriform sinus and are hence called piriform sinus cysts. [5][6][7] This disease usually occurs in infants and children, but it is very rare for it to occur during the fetal period.…”