A Very Rare Case of a Giant Third Branchial Pouch Remnant Discovered in Utero

Abstract

Branchial remnants are congenital malformations that arise from incomplete obliteration of the branchial apparatus during embryogenesis. Cysts originating from the third branchial pouch are very rare. We present a case of a large third branchial pouch cyst discovered in utero. To prevent respiratory insufficiency due to tracheal compression at birth, an ex utero intrapartum treatment (EXIT) was performed. The postnatal period was complicated by secondary infection and empyema formation. To our knowledge only one case of a third branchial cyst discovered in utero has been described previously [6].