branchial cleft cyst

Etiology

• failure of obliteration of the second branchial cleft during embryonic development

Epidemiology

• most common ccause of congenital neck mass

Pathology

• the cyst wall is composed of either squamous or columnar cells with lymphoid infiltrates
  • germinal centers may be present
• the cyst may contain granular and keratinaceous cellular debris & cholesterol crystals

Clinical manifestations

• solitary, painless mass in the neck of a child or a young adult
• intermittent swelling & tenderness of the mass during upper respiratory tract infection may occure
• discharge may occur if the lesion is associated with a sinus tract
• in some cases, locally compressive symptoms may occur

Radiology

• computed tomography (CT)
• magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
• ultrasound

Complications

• infected cyst

Management

• antibiotics for infected cyst
• surgery

More general terms

• branchial cleft remnant
• cyst

Additional terms

• branchial arch; pharyngeal arch