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Acta Cytol 2022 Jun 17:1-12. Epub 2022 Jun 17.

Department of Pathology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and The Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.

Background: Cystic lesions of the head and neck are a diagnostic challenge since they are seen in the clinical presentation of a wide variety of conditions. Herein, common and uncommon entities that present as cystic lesions in the head and neck are reviewed.

Summary: In this study, peer-reviewed articles were selected using the database PubMed, Google, Google Scholar, and Scopus. Read More

N Engl J Med 2022 06 18;386(25):e67. Epub 2022 Jun 18.

Tokyo Metropolitan Children's Medical Center, Tokyo, Japan

J Laryngol Otol 2022 Jun 17:1-24. Epub 2022 Jun 17.

Department of Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Medical Faculty, Comenius University Bratislava, Slovakia.

Cureus 2022 Apr 19;14(4):e24287. Epub 2022 Apr 19.

Otolaryngology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, USA.

Introduction Branchial cleft cysts are the second most common congenital neck mass and can cause significant anxiety for patients and families despite their benign nature. Education through online patient education materials (PEMs) is critical for informing patients and reducing stress. We aimed to determine the content, quality, and readability of online PEMs related to branchial cleft cysts. Read More

Int J Surg Case Rep 2022 Jun 11;95:107192. Epub 2022 May 11.

Department of Surgery, Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Unit, King Faisal University, Alahsa, Saudi Arabia. Electronic address:

Introduction: Thyroglossal cysts represent 70% of congenital neck anomalies, and second branchial cleft anomalies are the most common anomalies (90%) of the branchial apparatus. However, their coexistence, especially in adults, is very rare.

Presentation Of Case: A 23-year-old woman presented with a 1-year history of lateral left neck swelling and midline swelling. Read More

Zhong Nan Da Xue Xue Bao Yi Xue Ban 2022 Jan;47(1):129-138

Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008.

Branchio-oto syndrome (BOS)/branchio-oto-renal syndrome (BORS) is a kind of autosomal dominant heterogeneous disorder. These diseases are mainly characterized by hearing impairment and abnormal phenotype of ears, accompanied by renal malformation and branchial cleft anomalies including cyst or fistula, with an incidence of 1/40 000 in human population. Otic anormalies are one of the most obvious clinical manifestations of BOS/BORS, including deformities of external, middle, inner ears and hearing loss with conductive, sensorineural or mix, ranging from mild to profound loss. Read More

J Ultrason 2022 Mar 8;22(88):e67-e69. Epub 2022 Feb 8.

Emergency Medicine, Lakeland Regional Health, United States.

Aim Of The Study: Branchial anomalies result from incomplete obliteration of the branchial arch structures during embryogenesis. Second branchial arch anomalies are commonly found on the lower third of the neck, with an opening at the anterior border of the sternocleidomastoid muscle, and may drain secretions or purulent material. This case demonstrates the use of handheld point-of-care ultrasound to aid in the diagnosis of a branchial anomaly. Read More

Laryngoscope 2022 Apr 2. Epub 2022 Apr 2.

Otorhinolaryngology and Skull Base Center, AP-HP, Hospital Lariboisière, Paris, France.

Branchial cyst of the second pouch is the most common lesion of the nasopharyngeal lateral wall, generally localized between the pharyngeal wall and internal carotid artery. Cases consistent with such lesion, were collected. Symptomatic patients were treated with endoscopic trans-nasal marsupialisation, asymptomatic cases were followed-up. Read More

Head Neck Pathol 2022 Mar 21;16(1):110-122. Epub 2022 Mar 21.

Department of Pathology, Moffitt Cancer Center, 12902 Magnolia Drive, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA.

The changes made in the fifth edition of the WHO Classification of Head and Neck Tumors demonstrate the recent diagnostic, histopathological, and molecular advances in the field, and this updated information will hopefully lead to improved and standardized tumor subtyping. This review summarizes the changes related tumors and tumor-like lesions of the neck and lymph nodes (Chapter 11), metastasis to the head and neck region (Chapter 15), and melanocytic tumors (Chapter 10). Read More

Cureus 2022 Feb 10;14(2):e22098. Epub 2022 Feb 10.

Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, USA.

Fourth branchial cleft anomalies are an exceptionally rare cause of recurrent neck mass in pediatric and adult patients. In this report, we present a case of an infected fourth branchial cleft cyst in a 20-year-old woman that presented with recurrent throat pain and deep neck abscesses. After undergoing repeated incision and drainage procedures, the patient underwent definitive management with direct laryngoscopy, ablation of the left pyriform sinus tract, left hemithyroidectomy, and excision of the branchial anomaly without evidence of recurrence. Read More

Autops Case Rep 2022 21;12:e2021361. Epub 2022 Feb 21.

All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Department of Pathology and Lab Medicine, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India.

Cervical thymic cysts are relatively rare benign cystic lesions that tend to be diagnosed clinically as branchial cysts, which usually present as painless, enlarging neck masses. They can occur anywhere along the normal path of descent of thymic primordia from the angle of the mandible to the sternal notch, with mediastinal extension observed in approximately 50% of cases. They are usually seen in the first decade of life on the left side with a male predominance. Read More

Can Vet J 2022 03;63(3):292-296

Department of Veterinary Pathology, Western College of Veterinary Medicine University of Saskatchewan, 52 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5B4.

Pharyngeal cleft cysts (also called branchial cleft cysts) are rare congenital defects of the pharynx region that appear as soft, fluctuant cystic structures on the ventral neck. These cysts are formed by anomalous regression of the pharyngeal clefts during embryonic development and are lined by pseudostratified columnar to squamous, partially ciliated epithelium on histopathology. Development of these cysts is sporadic, with no currently identified risk factors in veterinary species. Read More

Ann R Coll Surg Engl 2022 Feb;104(2):44-46

Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, UK.

The branchial system plays a significant role in the embryological development of the many internal and external human body structures. Failure of normal development of these systems may result in branchial system anomalies. Anomalies of the first branchial cleft are rare and account for 1-8% of all branchial anomalies. Read More

Zhonghua Er Bi Yan Hou Tou Jing Wai Ke Za Zhi 2022 Jan;57(1):51-53

Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Shenzhen Children's Hospital, Shenzhen 518038, China.

Ear Nose Throat J 2022 Jan 28:1455613211067846. Epub 2022 Jan 28.

Department of Otolaryngology-HNS, Research Institute for Clinical Medicine of Jeonbuk National University- Biomedical Research Institute of 90158Jeonbuk National University Hospital, Jeonbuk, Korea.

Branchial cleft cyst (BCC) most frequently arises from the second branchial cleft and is located anterior to the sternocleidomastoid muscle at the mandibular angle. However, very rarely, this may occur in the parapharyngeal space. Interestingly, the parapharyngeal BCC is frequently misdiagnosed as a peritonsillar abscess. Read More

Cureus 2021 Dec 24;13(12):e20655. Epub 2021 Dec 24.

Otolaryngology, Southend University Hospital, Southend-on-Sea, GBR.

Two patients presented with fluctuant areas inferior to the pinna. The first required numerous procedures and investigations before a correct diagnosis was obtained. However, with awareness of this condition, the subsequent patient was quickly identified and managed appropriately. Read More

Acta Otolaryngol 2022 Jan 28;142(1):100-105. Epub 2021 Dec 28.

Department of Clinical Sciences Intervention and Technology, Division of Ear Nose and Throat Diseases, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.

Background: Solitary cystic lesion of the neck may often be the only initial presenting symptom for branchial cleft cysts and cystic metastases.

Aims/objectives: To analyse the malignancy rate detected in patients undergoing surgical treatment for lateral branchial cleft cyst.

Material And Methods: The records of all patients with surgical procedure code ENB40 (Excision of lateral branchial cleft cyst- or fistula) between 2003 and 2019 were reviewed. Read More

Laryngoscope 2022 04 16;132(4):E14. Epub 2021 Dec 16.

Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Maxillofacial Surgery, General Hospital Zadar, Zadar, Croatia.

Lin Chung Er Bi Yan Hou Tou Jing Wai Ke Za Zhi 2021 Nov;35(11):1035-1037

A rare case of branchiogenic carcinoma from first cleft branchial cyst in the parotid gland is reported. An elderly male patient was admitted to the hospital presented with a mass accompanying with swelling and pain in the right parotid area for 5 days. Total right parotidectomy including the tumor resection and selective neck dissection were performed under general anesthesia. Read More

Front Pediatr 2021 2;9:721128. Epub 2021 Nov 2.

Department of Radiology, Hunan Children's Hospital, University of South China, Changsha, China.

Congenital pyriform sinus fistula (CPSF) is a rare branchial cleft deformity. The characteristics and management of CPSF in neonates are different from those in children or adults, and a comprehensive understanding of the imaging features of neonatal CPSF can facilitate its preoperative diagnosis. Thus, the aim of this study was to summarize the ultrasonography (US) and CT imaging findings of CPSF in neonates. Read More

J Oral Maxillofac Surg 2022 Feb 17;80(2):341-348. Epub 2021 Sep 17.

Resident, Department of Pediatric Surgery, University Clinical Hospital Mostar, Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Purpose: Histogenesis, nomenclature, and classification of branchial cleft anomalies (BCAs) have been subjects of controversy for decades. The purpose of this study was to investigate the accuracy of current developmental theories (congenital, lymph node, and hybrid branchial inclusion theories) in defining the anatomic and histopathological characteristics of BCAs.

Methods: Ninety consecutive patients with BCAs who underwent surgical excision were enrolled in this 2-center retrospective cohort study. Read More

BMJ Case Rep 2021 Oct 8;14(10). Epub 2021 Oct 8.

Department of Pathology - Head and Neck Cytopathology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA.

Cervical thymic cysts (CTCs) represent 1% of all cervical cystic masses. A review of the literature found that CTCs are typically asymptomatic, with a propensity to be left sided. CTCs often require histological evaluation for diagnosis. Read More

AJNR Am J Neuroradiol 2021 11 7;42(11):2094-2100. Epub 2021 Oct 7.

From the Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging (Y.L., C.E.L., V.A.F., O.A.G.), Neuroradiology Section, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California.

Background And Purpose: Third and fourth branchial apparatus anomalies are rare congenital anomalies. The purpose of this study was to investigate imaging features of these lesions on fetal MR imaging in comparison with lymphatic malformations, the major competing differential diagnosis in these cases.

Materials And Methods: A retrospective review of our institutional fetal MR imaging database between 1997 and 2019 resulted in 4 patients with confirmed third and fourth branchial apparatus anomalies and 14 patients with confirmed lymphatic malformations. Read More

Dermatopathology (Basel) 2021 Aug 1;8(3):342-358. Epub 2021 Aug 1.

Department of Pathology, University Hospital of Nantes, 44000 Nantes, France.

Background: neck cysts are frequently encountered in pediatric medicine and can present a diagnostic dilemma for clinicians and pathologists. Several clinical items enable to subclassify neck cyst as age at presentation, anatomical location, including compartments and fascia of the neck, and radiological presentation.

Summary: this review will briefly describe the clinical, imaging, pathological and management features of (I) congenital and developmental pathologies, including thyroglossal duct cyst, branchial cleft cysts, dermoid cyst, thymic cyst, and ectopic thymus; (II) vascular malformations, including lymphangioma. Read More

Medicine (Baltimore) 2021 Aug;100(34):e27037

Department of Otolaryngology, Shenzhen Children's Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China.

Abstract: The second branchial cleft cyst lacks typical symptoms, and its clinical manifestations are complex and varied. Among them, the second branchial cleft cyst manifested by sleep snoring is relatively rare, and it can easily lead to missed diagnosis or misdiagnosis. This paper reports a case of a second branchial cleft abscess with snoring as the main manifestation. Read More

Ann R Coll Surg Engl 2022 Feb 27;104(2):e44-e46. Epub 2021 Aug 27.

Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, UK.

The branchial system plays a significant role in the embryological development of the many internal and external human body structures. Failure of normal development of these systems may result in branchial system anomalies. Anomalies of the first branchial cleft are rare and account for 1-8% of all branchial anomalies. Read More

BMJ Case Rep 2021 Aug 26;14(8). Epub 2021 Aug 26.

Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka - 576104, India.

First branchial cleft anomalies are quite rare, and the majority of them are found in and around the ear canal, mostly superficial to the facial nerve. Very rarely, the anomalous tract of the first branchial cleft can go deeper to the facial nerve, necessitating a meticulous and extensive surgery. A 21-year-old student presented with slowly increasing cystic swelling in the infra-auricular region. Read More

Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2021 4;12:724766. Epub 2021 Aug 4.

Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.

Parathyroid adenoma is a tumor composed of increased parenchymal tissue, often built-up by chief cells, transitional cells or oncocytic cells arranged in acinar or solid formations. Occasionally, rare histological patterns are reported, including cystic or trabecular arrangements. We present a 47 year-old male patient with primary hyperparathyroidism who underwent focused parathyroidectomy for a right inferior adenoma. Read More

J Pediatr Health Care 2021 Sep-Oct;35(5):548-551. Epub 2021 Jul 23.

Neck masses are a common finding in the pediatric population, with a broad differential diagnosis resulting in real diagnostic challenges. They are most frequently caused by reactive lymphadenopathy, infectious lymphadenitis, or congenital anomalies of the neck. This case report describes a 16-year-old female presenting to the pediatric emergency department with 5 weeks of right-sided neck mass. Read More

BMC Surg 2021 Jul 3;21(1):306. Epub 2021 Jul 3.

Department of Otolaryngology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, Shaanxi Province, China.

Background: First branchial cleft anomaly (FBCA) is a rare congenital defect that arises due to incomplete closure of the ventral portion of the first and second branchial arches. There are variable complex clinical manifestations for patients with FBCA, which are prone to misdiagnosis and inadequate treatment. FBCAs usually involve the facial nerve with a consequent increased risk of facial nerve damage. Read More