Cervical Chondrocutaneous Branchial Remnants: A Case Report

Abstract

Cervical chondrocutaneous branchial remnants (CCBR) are rare congenital anomalies of the head and neck (H&N) with microscopic features similar to other chondroid choristomas though with specific clinical presentation. Herein, we report a rare case of CCBR in a 1-year 9-month-old girl. A 1-year 9-month-old Jordanian girl presented with a unilateral, soft, exophytic subcutaneous mass (1.8 × 1.8 × 0.5 cm) in the lower third of the left side of the neck, anterior to the sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscle. The lesion was painless, smooth and skin color; and was not associated with any discharge or with a fistulous tract. The child was otherwise healthy and well-developed. The mass was excised and submitted for histopathologic examination. Sections of the formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue revealed a polypoid mass surfaced by keratinized stratified squamous epithelium with associated adnexa overlying fibroadipose tissue with foci of mature hyaline cartilage. CCBRs are choristomas of the neck with specific clinical presentation, that separates them from other histomorphologically similar, or even identical, lesions of the H&N, such as accessory tragi. In 1997 Atlan et al. described a series of 17 patients with rare congenital anomalies, similar to accessory tragi histologically, although, rather than pre-auricular, they present in the lateral mid to lower neck. CCBR have male predominance. They present at birth and are usually located in the middle or lower third of the lateral neck, anterior to the SCM muscle. Of particular importance is the association of CCBR with more serious congenital anomalies. Therefore, although complete surgical excision is curative, a complete clinical investigation is recommended to rule out other associated, though more serious, anomalies.