Residual fistula of fourth branchial arch anomalies and recurrent left-side cervical abscess: clinical case and review of the literature.

Abstract

Congenital fourth branchial arch anomalies are uncommon entities. Most of these anomalies are diagnosed in childhood. The majority of cases occur on the left side. The clinical presentation of these anomalies varies with age. A respiratory distress is the usual clinical presentation in neonates, cervical cutaneous fistulas in late childhood or acute suppurative thyroiditis. Multiples diagnostic options have been described with different modalities of treatment. The majority of cases of fourth branchial arch anomalies are described only in case reports. We report a clinical case of recurrent cervical abscess in a young woman due to a residual fistula of fourth branchial arch.