• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
• /
• v.21 no.1
• /
• pp.53-56
• /
• 2005

The branchial anomaly is a lateral neck mass commonly seen by otolaryngologists. Depending on its anatomic location, branchial anomaly can be classified into first, second, third and fourth. The fourth branchial cleft anomaly is very rare entity and until now, only 35cases have been reported worldwide. It may present as neck cyst, recurrent neck abscess, thyroiditis. Combined with barium swallow esophagogram and computed tomography scan can aid in diagnosis of this rare disease entity. Complete excision of the entire epithelial tract combined with ipsilateral thyroid lobectomy remains the mainstay of treatment. Authors experienced a case of lateral neck mass which was anatomically presumed to be the fourth branchial cleft cyst. We report this case with the related literature.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
• /
• v.33 no.1
• /
• pp.31-34
• /
• 2017

First branchial cleft anomaly is a very rare disease and exhibits various clinical presentations. Therefore, the diagnosis of first branchial cleft anomaly may be difficult; the condition is often misdiagnosed and mismanaged. Accurate diagnosis is very important, because if not diagnosed correctly, patients with first branchial cleft anomaly would be treated with local incision and drainage repeatedly. We report two cases of first branchial cleft anomaly. The first patient visited for recurrent swell and discharge in the infra-auricular area with a history of previous incision and drainage. The other patient showed a cystic mass in the infra-auricular area and all of them were misdiagnosed initially by their treating specialists elsewhere. The objective of this study is to share our experiences of first branchial cleft anomaly, and emphasize its various clinical patterns and the significance of accurate diagnosis.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
• /
• v.12 no.1
• /
• pp.22-25
• /
• 1996

A very important and interesting problem occasionally seen in the neck of children and adults is a branchial cleft anomaly. It is a rare congenital neck disease and presents a painless palpable mass of neck in most cases. We have retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 28 patients operated upon for branchial cleft anomaly at Department of Surgery, Chonnam University Hospital between January, 1991 and December, 1995. Three of these lesions were considered to have originated from the first branchial cleft, and 25 from the second branchial cleft. Females are about twice more common than male patients. Pathological findings showed the cysts were lined squamous epithelium and subepithelial lymphoid follicles in most cases. Five out of 28 patients with branchial cleft anomalies had previous incision procedures. All patients after complete removal of branchial anomalies have no recurrences.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
• /
• v.25 no.1
• /
• pp.12-17
• /
• 2009

Background and Objectives : Branchial anomaly is a common neck pathology seen by otolaryngologist. Although there is still controversy regarding the origin, almost all surgeon agree that branchial anomalies result from incomplete involution of the branchial apparatus. Depending on its anatomic location, branchial anomalies can be classified into first, second, third and fourth anomaly. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the incidence of different categories of branchial anomalies and to determine proper method of diagnosis and treatment. Subjects and Method : A retrospective chart review was conducted for 72 patients with branchial anomalies operated on at the Korea University Anam Hospital from 1996 to 2007. The patient's sex, age, presenting symptoms, classification, site of lesion, diagnostic studies, surgical therapy and post-operative surgical complication were reviewed. Results : Patients were commonly seen in the 3rd decades. Eleven patients(15.3%) were first branchial anomalies, 52(72.2%) were second, 1(1.4%) was third, and 8(11.1%) were fourth. Of the types of anomalies, cyst were most commonly seen. In cases of 3rd and 4th branchial anomalies, barium contrast study can delineate the course of sinus or fistula. All cases was operated on for branchial anomalies, there were no major post-operative complication. Conclusion : Cervical mass and recurrent cervical infection or abscess are suspect for branchial anomalies. Especially, clinical history of dysphagia, and recurrent painful swelling in the thyroid region in young patients should raise the suspicion of 3rd and 4th branchial anomalies. Careful history, clinical examination and radiographic study were essential parts in diagnosis of branchial anomalies. Although surgical management of branchial anomalies depend on its type, nature and extent, complete excision is the major surgical procedure.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
• /
• v.36 no.2
• /
• pp.17-20
• /
• 2020

Background: Compared to the frequency of occurrence of pre-auricular skin tag, cervical chondrocutaneous branchial remnants is one of congenital, benign neck masses that is very rare all over the world. Most of these rare anomalies are reported in case reports and especially, rare cases of unilateral cervical chondrocutaneous branchial remnants have been reported in Korean. Materials & Methods: A 9-year-old male patient visited the hospital on September 2017 for a rod-shaped mass. As a simultaneous diagnosis and treatment method, complete surgical excision was executed. Results: Excised mass was 0.5cm in diameter, 1.2cm in. Histologically, a hyaline and elastic cartilage was found in the core. As a family history, the same remnant was found in the right Anterior neck area of his mother. Conclusion: In this case, it is possible to diagnose and treat simply at the same time and even an optimal aesthetic result can be obtained.

• Korean Journal of Bronchoesophagology
• /
• v.9 no.2
• /
• pp.56-59
• /
• 2003

Branchial cleft fistula is one of the most common congenital neck masses. Most of the branchial cleft fistula patients complain of reucrrent neck infection or abscesses even with appropriate previous treatment. The traditional treatment of these patients was agreed to be a complete surgical removal of whole fistula tract with infection control. However this surgical treatment has risks of injuring important major vessels o. nerves adjacent to the track and difficulties in dealing with previous recurrent infections and scars of previous procedures such as drainage or incomplete surgical excision. Today, obliteration of internal opening with chemical or electrical cauterization has been introduced as a new way of treating branchial anomaly with a less invasive procedure. In this article, we reports 5 cases of branchial anomalies treated with TCA(trichloroacetic acid) chemical cauterization.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
• /
• v.37 no.3
• /
• pp.297-300
• /
• 2010

Purpose: Failure of proper migration, fusion, or maturation of the branchial apparatus components results in a variety of congenital defects. Of these, cartilaginous rests are infrequent, while branchial cysts and sinuses are more common, relatively. The purpose of this study is to examine the clinical and pathological features of rare cervical branchial remnants in order to provide basis for its correct diagnosis and treatment. Methods: We report three cases of cervical branchial remnants which were treated in our hospital from December 2004 to December 2009. These cases were examined their clinical features, histologic findings and treatments. The patients had been operated with simple excision, excision of the combined components and preoperative antiboitics. Results: A retrospective review produced 2 cases of the cervical branchial remnants and 1 case of the cervical chondrocutaneous branchial remnant. All cases were on the left side of the neck, and anterior to the sternocleidomastoid muscle. Histopathological examination showed that fistula & sinus were lined with stratified squamous epithelium, additionally, they were consisted of a cutaneous envelope containing sebaceous glands, hair follicles, various amounts of adipose tissue, and elastic fibers. And, One case revealed containing hyaline cartilage. No patient developed complications or reccurences. Conclusion: The authors recommend simple surgical excision of the remnants when discharge, infection, or cosmetic problem occur. Finally, these lesions do not have fistulous tracts or connections with important, deeper organs, and so can be safely transected at the level of the superficial musculature.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
• /
• v.10 no.2
• /
• pp.122-127
• /
• 1994

One hundred fifty four cases of branchial anomaly treated from January 1987 to July 1993 were analysed to determine clinical features, embryologic and anatomic types of the branchial cleft anomaly, to investigate the differences between adults and pediatrics, and to establish the appropriate treatment plan. The male to female ratio was not signifiacntly different in pediatric and adult patients. The mean symptom duration was 0.5 years(range 0.08-14 years) in pediatric patients and 1.67 years (0.7-7 years) in adult patients. The clinical presentations of these anomalies were lateral neck mass in 112(72.7%), infected discharge in 22(14.3%), non-infected discharge in 6(3.9%), and abscess in 14 cases(9.l%). Sites of the lesions were upper third of the neck in 93(60.3%), infraauricular in 35(22.7%), middle third of the neck in 17(11.0%) and inferior third of the neck in 9 cases(5.8%). The anatomic types were cystic form in 117(75.9%), sinus in 24(15.5%), and fistula in 13 cases(8.4%). Embryologic classification were 124 second branchial cleft anomalies(80.5%), 29 first branchial cleft anomalies(18.8%), and 1 third branchial cleft anomaly(0.6%). Immediate surgery under the uncontrolled infection in 17 cases result in 82.4% recurrent rate(14 cases), and 17.6% cure rate(3 cases). Delayed surgery under the controlled infection in 8 cases recurrent rate(1 case), and 87.5% cure rate(7 cases). In summary, the most common branchial cleft anomaly is second type cyst both in pediatric and adult group, delayed surgical exterpation after infection control with I & D or antibiotics may give a good chance for care and may reduce the recurrence.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
• /
• v.8 no.1
• /
• pp.6-13
• /
• 1992

Branchial apparatus anomaly is rarely encountered congenital neck disease, it presents a palpable non-tender mass or fistulous opening existed at any site from external auditory canal or mandible angle to lower part of neck We have reviewed the records of 50 patients operated upon for branchial cleft anomaly, at Department of Surgery, Inje University Hospital, between 1981 and 1990, and the following results were obtained. I) In the classificiation of branchial cleft anomaly, first branchial fistula was 1 case, second branchial cyst 32 cases, second branchial sinus 11 cases, second branchial fistula 5 cases and third branchial fistula 1 case. 2) There were 20 men and 30 women in this series and male to female ratio was 2:3. 3) The age at first clinical presentation was 1st decade 15 cases, 2nd decade 10 cases, 3rd decade 17 cases, 4th decade 5 cases and 5th decade 3 cases. The peak age incidence was 3rd decade in overall, but the cyst was most common in 2nd decade, and majority of sinus or fistula was seen below 10 years old age. 4) The prevalent side of this anomaly was right side in 19 cases, left side in 29 cases and bilateral 2 cases, and so left side was more common than right. 5) The clinical presentation was characterized by the lesion along anterior border of sternocleido muscle, non-tender palpable mass were 28 cases, drainage sinus 18 cases, recurrent abscess and drainage 5 cases and intermittent ear discharge 1 case. 6) The mean size of cyst was about 4cm that containing turbid white-yellowish fluid but discharge from sinus or fistula was clear mucoid. 7) The culture of cyst fluid was no bacteria, but 2 cases showed staphyloccoci suggesting secondary infection. 8) The surgical procedure were complete excision of cyst 32 cases, sinus excision 11 cases, fistula excision 6 cases and I&D 1 case. And the recurrent 1 case was that fistula tract could not be identified due to severe scar from previous several operations.