A second branchial cleft cyst, a case report

Huge second branchial cleft cyst: A case report

“…Branchial cysts are benign tumors that result from defects in the resorption of the second branchial arch [ 3 , 4 ]. They typically develop in the antero-lateral part of the neck [ 5 ]. Communication with the skin or pharynx can occur spontaneously or following superinfection.…”

“…The external cervical fistula is a narrow channel through which communication with the outside world takes place. Its external orifice is often located at the junction of the middle third and lower third of the anterior border of the sternocleidomastoid muscle [ 2 , 5 ]. Communication with the pharynx, which is less common than the external fistula, occurs through an internal fistula that opens into an embryonic derivative of the second branchial pouch, the palatine tonsil [ 3 , 6 ].…”

“…In 1993, Thaler reported a rare case of an oropharyngeal tonsillar cyst without a fistula [ [2] , [3] , [4] ]. This location is explained by the ectoblast-entoblast apposition of the obturator membrane, in the absence of the mesoblastic arch, without any communication with the oropharynx via a fistula [ 5 ].…”

“…A second branchial cleft cyst, which can sometimes progress rapidly and cause compression, can lead to discomfort and bradycardia due to significant compression of the carotid bulb. In such cases, the cyst must be punctured to relieve the patient [ [1] , [2] , [3] , [4] , [5] ]. It can also cause neck asymmetry, tracheal deviation, dyspnea, dysphagia, changes in phonation, and torticollis [ 6 ].…”

Suppurative thyroiditis, a sign of branchiogenic fistula? Lesson based on a case report

“…The branchial cleft most frequently affected by abnormalities is the second (75%) [4] , followed in percentage by the first. The third and fourth are very rarely affected.…”