Branchial cleft cysts, also known as branchial cleft anomalies, are congenital anomalies arising from the first through fourth pharyngeal pouches. These anomalies can exist as true fistulae, cysts, or sinus tracts, depending on the degree of incomplete obliteration during embryogenesis.
What is a branchial cleft anomaly?
A branchial cleft abnormality is a cluster of abnormally formed tissue in the neck. Branchial cleft abnormalities may form: Cysts or sinuses. These are pockets full of fluid. Fistulas.
How many branchial clefts are there?
At the fourth week of embryonic life, the development of 4 branchial (or pharyngeal) clefts results in 5 ridges known as the branchial (or pharyngeal) arches, which contribute to the formation of various structures of the head, the neck, and the thorax.
What is branchial arch remnant?
Branchial cleft remnants are visible birth defects that can occur on the neck. They appear in the form of sinuses or cysts and are problems with the connective tissue that form the structure of the neck.
What causes branchial fistula?
What are the causes? Branchial cleft cysts and sinus tracts are congenital anomalies, meaning they result from an unexpected change in the womb before birth. Although most commonly unilateral (occurring on one side of the neck), they can be bilateral (both sides of the neck).
What kind of doctor treats branchial cleft cyst?
Referral to an otolaryngologist for surgical excision is indicated.
What is the cause of a branchial cleft cyst?
A branchial cleft cyst is a birth defect. It is caused when fluid fills a space, or sinus, left in the neck when a baby develops in the womb. After the baby is born, it appears as a lump in the neck or just below the jawbone.
Which branchial cleft cysts are associated with inflammation of the thyroid gland?
Thyroglossal duct cysts, the one of congenital developmental cysts, also have been reported to present as thyroid masses.
What is a fistula in the neck?
What is a fistula and a sinus? A fistula is an abnormal channel leading between two cavities or surfaces which may drain a fluid material such as saliva or pus. An example would be from the mouth (oral cavity) to the skin surface, usually of the face or neck, and this specific type is called an orocutaneous fistula.
Are branchial cleft cysts genetic?
The family shows that branchial (lateral cervical) cysts and sinuses are inherited as autosomal dominant characters, and that the two anomalies are indistinguishable genetically.
Do Branchial cysts Transilluminate?
Branchial cysts present as a round, soft, cystic swelling between the angle of the jaw and the sternocleidomastoid muscle in the anterior triangle of the neck. This swelling will transilluminate with light, as the fluid in the cyst transmits the light throughout the cyst.
What is Thyroglossal fistula?
CongenitalThyroglossal fistula is a disorder of thyroglossal duct which develops from thyroid primordium in the floor of primitive pharynx at the site of foramen caecum at the junction of posterior one third and anterior two third of tongue.
Is branchial cleft cyst rare?
Branchial cleft cyst is a rare disease of the head and neck. Because of its rarity, it is often misdiagnosed. Although present at birth, many cases do not become evident until later in childhood or adolescence, with an initial clinical presentation in adulthood being encountered rarely.
What do pharyngeal pouches do?
Pharyngeal pouches derivatives produce tissues necessary for hearing, calcium homeostasis, and adequate immune response. The first pharyngeal pouch develops into the middle ear cavity and the eustachian tube, which joins the tympanic cavity to the nasopharynx.
Can a branchial cleft cyst grow back?
Risks and Complications of Branchial Cleft Cysts The outcome of surgery is usually good. But, cysts can recur, particularly if the surgery occurred during an active infection.
What is a branchial pouch?
Overview. In the development of vertebrate animals, Pharyngeal or branchial pouches form on the endodermal side between the branchial arches, and pharyngeal grooves (or clefts) form from the lateral ectodermal surface of the neck region to separate the arches.
Why do I have a hole in my neck?
They occur when tissues in the neck and collarbone area (branchial cleft) fail to develop normally. The birth defect may appear as open spaces called cleft sinuses, which may develop on one or both sides of the neck. A branchial cleft cyst may form from fluid drained from a sinus. The cyst or sinus can become infected.
What is a congenital cyst?
A cyst present at birth and resulting from abnormal development, such as a dermoid cyst, imperfect closure of a structure as in spina bifida cystica, or nonclosure of embryonic clefts, ducts, or tubules, such as cervical cysts.
Can branchial cleft cyst become cancerous?
Branchial cleft cyst carcinoma (BCCC) is a rare malignancy originating from cells within the cyst, located in anterior aspect of sternocleidomastoid muscle, posterior to submandibular gland and lateral to carotid sheath. Initially described by Volkmann in 1882, it was better defined by Martin et al.
Do Branchial cysts grow?
Most branchial cleft cysts or fistulae are asymptomatic, but they may become infected. The cyst usually presents as a smooth, slowly enlarging lateral neck mass that may increase in size after an upper respiratory tract infection.
How do you get rid of a branchial cleft cyst?
If the cyst or sinus tract is infected, your child may need antibiotics. Surgery is the most common treatment to permanently remove branchial cleft cysts and sinus tracts. Most surgeons remove sinus tracts and cysts through a small incision in the neck.
What is inside a branchial cyst?
In branchial cleft cysts, the tissues that form the throat and neck don’t develop normally, creating open spaces called cleft sinuses on one or both sides of your child’s neck. A cyst may develop from fluids that are drained by these sinuses. In some cases, the cyst or sinus may become infected.
Should a branchial cyst be removed?
The treatment for branchial cleft cysts and sinus tracts is surgical removal. There is no known medical therapy with the exception that infected branchial cleft cysts and sinus tracts do require initial antibiotic treatment. The infection should be resolved before surgery is performed.
What is a thyroglossal duct cyst?
A thyroglossal duct cyst is a mass or lump in the front part of neck that is filled with fluid. While a baby is developing in the womb, the thyroid gland begins at the base of the tongue. Before birth the thyroid gland moves in the neck to its usual position below the thyroid cartilage and above the sternum.
What is Second branchial cleft cyst?
Second branchial cleft cysts are benign developmental cysts thought to arise from congenital remnants of the second branchial arch. Other branchial anomalies exist but are much less common than second cleft anomalies which represent >95 % of all branchial cleft anomalies [1, 2].
What will happen if a fistula is left untreated?
Fistulas can cause a lot of discomfort, and if left untreated, may cause serious complications. Some fistulas can cause a bacteria infection, which may result in sepsis, a dangerous condition that can lead to low blood pressure, organ damage or even death.
What is a chyle fistula?
Chyle fistula is a potentially devastating phenomenon that results from violation of the thoracic duct or right lymphatic duct in the neck, most commonly during radical neck dissection. It may impair nutrition, compromise and delay wound healing, and prolong hospitalization.
What is a sinus tract?
A sinus tract is an abnormal channel that originates or ends in one opening. An orofacial fistula is a pathologic communication between the cutaneous surface of the face and the oral cavity. In the literature, the terms fistulas and sinuses are often used interchangeably.
Graduated from ENSAT (national agronomic school of Toulouse) in plant sciences in 2018, I pursued a CIFRE doctorate under contract with Sun’Agri and INRAE in Avignon between 2019 and 2022. My thesis aimed to study dynamic agrivoltaic systems, in my case in arboriculture. I love to write and share science related Stuff Here on my Website. I am currently continuing at Sun’Agri as an R&D engineer.