8.15 Branchial Cleft Cysts



10.1055/b-0038-162802

8.15 Branchial Cleft Cysts



Key Features





  • Branchial cleft cysts represent the most common noninflammatory lateral neck masses in children.



  • Definitive treatment is complete surgical excision.


Branchial cleft cysts are composed of remnants from any of the first five branchial arches, which give rise to head and neck structures ( Table 8.10 ). Branchial cleft cysts may be associated with a fistula or sinus tract. Cysts may have different locations and characteristics depending on their branchial cleft of origin.


















































Table 8.10 Structures that arise from differentiation of branchial arches

Arch

Nerve

Structure

Muscle

Artery

First

Trigeminal

Mandible, body of incus, head and neck of malleus, major salivary glands, tympanic membrane, eustachian tube

Masticator muscles, tensor tympani, anterior belly of digastric

Facial


Second

Facial (CN VII), vestibulocochlear (CN VIII)

Two-thirds of long process of incus, manubrium of malleus, crura and head of stapes, styloid, lesser cornu of hyoid, upper body of hyoid, tonsil

Platysma, muscles of facial expression, stapedius, posterior belly of digastric

Stapedial


Third

Glossopharyngeal (CN IX)

Greater cornu of hyoid, thymus, inferior parathyroid, body of hyoid

Superior constrictors

Internal carotid


Fourth

Vagus (CN X)

Thyroid cartilage, epiglottis, superior parathyroid

Inferior constrictor, laryngeal musculature

Aortic arch, right subclavian


Fifth

Spinal accessory (CN XI)

Arytenoid cartilage, cricoid cartilage, lungs

Portion of laryngeal musculature

Pulmonary ductus

Used with permission from Van de Water TR, Staecker H. Otolaryngology: Basic Science and Clinical Review. Stuttgart/New York: Thieme;2006:208. Abbreviation: CN, cranial nerve.

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  2. 8.12 Pediatric Hearing Loss
  3. 8.13 Infectious Neck Masses in Children
  4. 8.19 Cleft Lip and Palate

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May 19, 2020 | Posted by in OTOLARYNGOLOGY | Comments Off on 8.15 Branchial Cleft Cysts

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