Squamous papilloma arising from within a branchial cleft cyst

Abstract

PurposeTo report an unusual occurrence of HPV infection manifesting as a squamous papilloma within a branchial cleft cyst. Study design/MethodsCase report and review of literature. ResultsA 64-year-old male presented with a history of recurrent oropharyngeal papillomas concurrent with a cystic neck lesion. Initial FNA biopsy was suspicious for a cystic nodal metastasis of squamous cell carcinoma. Upon excision of the neck mass, histopathologic analysis revealed a squamous papilloma arising from within a branchial cleft cyst. HPV positivity was confirmed with in-situ hybridization. The patient remains disease free after 75 months of follow-up. ConclusionsHPV infections of the upper respiratory tract are potentially transmissible into the neck via a branchial anomaly. Oncologic considerations are discussed.