Branchial cleft cyst. Particularities of diagnosis and treatment. Clinical case

Abstract

Branchial cysts are rare congenital malformations which arise due to the partial or complete involution of branchial apparatus in the development of the human embryo, causing huge discomfort to the patient. The objective of the study is to investigate the clinical picture, the evolution, the diagnostic methods of the branchial cysts to optimize the treatment tactics. A clinical case will be presented of a 40–years–old patient which was admitted to IMU IMSP in the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Department with the diagnosis of a left lateral branchial cyst. The patient accuses aesthetic disorders and the presence of a voluminous swelling which was located in the upper left lateral cervical region that began 2 years ago with episodes of frequent superinfection, gradually increasing in size. Therefore, a clinical and paraclinical examination was performed (laboratory tests, ultrasonography) to specify the diagnosis and to provide additional information on adjacent anatomical structures that may influence the tactics of the surgical treatment. A surgical intervention such as „removal of the swelling” was advised. Following the excision of the cyst under general anesthesia, the postoperative period passed without any particularities. Early diagnosis will reduce the increase in size of the branchial cysts preventing inflammatory complications with their superinfection.