First branchial cleft fistula presenting with internal opening on the Eustachian tube: Illustrated cases and literature review

First branchial cleft fistula: case report and literature review

“…This makes radiographic imaging such as CT fistulography and magnetic resonance imaging very important and a first step in managing such cases. Proper preoperative assessment with radiographic imaging aids in complete excision of the lesion, resulting in lower recurrence rates.…”

“…They are frequently misdiagnosed as being benign parotid tumors or innocent superficial sinuses or cysts. Most patients undergo several surgical procedures including incision and drainage of the lesion before being diagnosed properly and receiving the correct treatment.…”

Branchial cleft and pouch anomalies in childhood: a report of 50 surgical cases

“…Regarding our study, 54.5 % of patients presented a first branchial cleft lesion deep to the facial nerve, whereas in 45.5 % of patients the anomaly was superficial; in 36.4 % of cases, the age of surgery was younger than 4 years old. To ensure complete resection in the region of the external auditory canal, an area of skin and cartilage surrounding the lesion must be removed [40]. According to the relation between the lesion and the facial nerve, the procedure can include partial excision of the parotid, or superficial parotidectomy; the former should be performed for lesions superficial to the facial nerve; if the lesion is located deep to, or across, the facial nerve the recommended procedure is superficial parotidectomy [39].…”

Eustachian Tube Duplication

“…They have also described hypoplastic eustachian tubes in children with various chromosomal abnormalities (8). Liu et al (9) described 2 cases of epithelially lined branchial cleft fistulas. Both children presented with drainage from a lesion near the angle of the mandible, and communication was found with the nasopharyngeal orifice of the eustachian tube.…”