Branchial Cleft Cyst
During the first few weeks of development of an embryo, the precursor of our neck is actually more similar to the gills on the fish - Isaac Namdar MD
image by: Li A Ling Silvanita
HWN Recommends
A cyst is a cyst, until it's a fistula...
So she has a branchial cleft fistula, at least 2 cm. long internally from the ultrasound (they lost the tract on the ultrasound screen after that, so we really don't know how much longer, if any, it is) Dr. Green told us that the only treatment for a branchial cleft cyst (or fistula) is surgery, and unbelievably in this day and age, it still requires a GIANT neck incision.
At least, this is what I heard. In reality, the incision will be about one inch (but that's giant on a baby girl's neck, don't you agree?) I was heartbroken about the severity of the surgery (1.5 hours long, general anesthesia, slicing my baby's NECK WIDE OPEN, risk of permanent nerve damage to the tongue and/or…
Resources
Branchial Cleft Abnormalities--One Family's Story
This is for parents, like us, of children with branchial cleft cysts, sinuses, or fistulas. When I researched my daughter's condition, I couldn't find anything written in laymen's terms which described the diagnosis and surgery on a baby or small child. Please consider this blog as one family's experience--information presented here is not guaranteed to be medically accurate or take the place of a good ENT specialist!
A Branchial Cleft WHAT?
She was perfect in every way, but I am an overly observant (DH would say "nit-picky") mother so I continued to look her over. I noticed, during our first night at the hospital, she had a small open pore at the base of her neck. It seemed to be "leaking" and then crusting over.
Branchial Cleft Abnormalities in Children
Branchial cleft abnormalities are usually found in front of the large muscles on either the side of the neck.
Branchial Cleft Cyst and Me!
Images...
Branchial Cleft Cyst – A Misdiagnosed Developmental Anomaly
The clinical and most commonly diagnostic signs include a slow progressing mass that can be present from weeks to years with overlying normal skin.
My branchial cleft cyst
It was a three week wait and it cost $480 which i definitely didn't have spare and laying around, I considered cancelling it but my mum convinced me that it was necessary for my health and gave me $80 towards it. He touched it, asked a bunch of questions, shoved numbing spray up for nose and gave me an endoscopy. Diagnosis: a brachial cleft cyst.
No Need for Panic With MANIC
As a medical student, I would panic over embryology of the neck. I never quite understood the development and anomalies of branchial arches or the migration of the thyroid anlage from the foramen cecum; yet I knew that as a clinician, it would be important to comprehend the differential diagnosis of neck lesions. Parents may worry, having questions and concerns about imaging studies, potential associations, and possible surgery.
Types of branchial cleft abnormalities
The Children's Hospital of Boston has an easy site on branchial cleft remnants. There are four kinds of branchial cleft abnormalities,...
What is a branchial cleft cyst or sinus tract?
While a baby is developing in the womb, the neck and face form from five basic building blocks called the branchial arches. Each arch is separated by a groove or cleft. A persistence of this cleft with an opening to the outside (or inside) of the neck is called a sinus tract. If this cleft persists with no communication to the outside or inside of the neck, it may fill with fluid, resulting in a branchial cleft cyst. A child may can have both a sinus tract and cyst.
What Is A Branchial Cleft Cyst?
Occasionally, an irregularity of development could result in remnants of those primordial structures still to be present at the time of birth. These structures are called branchial clefts. These could manifest externally as a pit in the skin with occasional drainage. Otherwise, a sack of fluid could be felt under the skin of the neck on either side. Branchial cleft cysts are felt to be congenital (present at birth). However, often times they happen to be completely flat and asymptomatic.
A cyst is a cyst, until it's a fistula...
So she has a branchial cleft fistula, at least 2 cm. long internally from the ultrasound...
StatPear;ls
Branchial cleft cysts are congenital epithelial cysts that comprise approximately one-third of congenital neck masses. They are benign lesions and can present at any age. They typically present after an upper respiratory tract infection as a waxing and waning neck mass that parallels the course of the illness.
Introducing Stitches!
Your Path to Meaningful Connections in the World of Health and Medicine
Connect, Collaborate, and Engage!
Coming Soon - Stitches, the innovative chat app from the creators of HWN. Join meaningful conversations on health and medical topics. Share text, images, and videos seamlessly. Connect directly within HWN's topic pages and articles.
