Ear Nose Throat J. 2004 Nov;83(11):740.
FIRST PARAGRAPH: A developmental alteration of the branchial clefts or pouches can result in cysts, sinuses, and/or fistulas. A branchial cleft cyst is a congenital abnormality usually located in the lateral neck along the anterior portion of the sternocleidomastoid muscle; it can also involve the ear and parotid salivary gland. There is no sex preference, and although the lesion usually presents clinically in young patients, older patients are occasionally affected as well. The cysts are typically nontender masses that may become secondarily inflamed or infected, which often brings them to clinical attention. Bilateral masses are associated with an increased likelihood of a syndrome.
PubMed ID: 15628626
Article Size: <1 MB