Clinical Pearls of Branchial Cleft Cyst Management in an Adult

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Second branchial cleft anomalies most commonly present as cysts followed by sinuses and fistulae. They have been classified into four different sub-types by Bailey. Type II is most common type where the branchial cleft cyst (BCC) lies anterior to the sternocleidomastoid muscle, posterior to the submandibular gland, adjacent and lateral to the carotid sheath. In this article, a case of type II second branchial cleft anomaly is presented. CASE REPORT: This article aims to portray how to evaluate a patient with second branchial cleft cyst focussing, focusing on how its diagnosed and its appropriate management. A young woman who had chief complaint of swelling of left side of the neck visited our outpatient department. She underwent complete excision of the lesion. There was no recurrence at 1year follow-up visit. DISCUSSION: Most branchial anomalies arise from the second branchial apparatus. Most second BCCs are located in the submandibular space. Patients with BCCs are usually older children or young adults. MR imaging provide the surgeon adequate preoperative information. Treatment for these lesions is complete surgical excision.