Abstract
BackgroundFirst branchial cleft fistula is a rare malformation of the neck and head. The purpose of this report is to showcase a method of treating first brachial cleft fistula while preserving the facial nerve.Case presentationThis case report presents an 8-year-old female with a type 2 first branchial cleft fistula. The treatment process follows multidisciplinary approach with the aid of health professionals from different departments, pre-op magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanning to map the fistula, and the use of nerve monitoring device (NIM).ConclusionThe procedure was successfully done while preserving the facial nerve.
Highlights
First branchial cleft fistula is a rare malformation of the neck and head
The first branchial cleft is an extremely rare occurrence that manifests as cysts, sinuses, or fistulas
The location of the fistula can be sufficiently determined through magnetic resonance imaging (MRI scans)
Summary
The first branchial cleft is an extremely rare occurrence that manifests as cysts, sinuses, or fistulas. The first branchial cleft fistula makes up almost 4% of the branchial abnormalities [1]. It can be distinguished based on the histological and anatomical traits. Case presentation An 8-year-old female patient presented with a mass on the left side of her neck with a history of sinus discharge. The patient has no history of hearing loss and took an otologic examination, and the evaluation results were normal and reveal that no effect on the tympanic membrane. The patient ran MRI scans, and scans showed a fistulous tract extending along the left side of the neck to the middle ear (Fig. 1).
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