ABSTRACT

Background:

Branchial cleft anomalies (BCAs) are congenital neck pathologies and mostly encountered in lateral neck. These lesions have usually benign character and surgical resection is first line treatment modality. In this study, we aimed to analyze the patients who operated in our clinic with branchial cleft anomalies and to evaluate our findings in consideration of literature.

Method:

Branchial cleft anomaly diagnosed patients who had been operated in our department between 2010-2018 were included in the study. This patients findings such as symptoms, duration of symptoms, imaging methods, operative findings, complications, hospital stay were retrospectively analyzed. Also recurring cases were evaluated closely. Demographic and disease related data were statistically evaluated regarding recurrence.

Results:

Eighty-four subjects were included in the study. 72.6% of these cases (61/84) were the second branchial cleft anomaly. Most common symptom was found as neck swelling. According to physical and imaging examinations; 62 (73.8%) patients were diagnosed as fistula and 22 (26,2%) patients were diagnosed as cyst. Fistulas were mostly seen in first branchial cleft anomalies. In our case series, recurrence rate was found as 8.3%. And it was seen statistically significant more in 3 and 4. branchial cleft anomalies. Also, recurrence rate was found significantly high in recurrent cases.

Conclusion:

Branchial cleft anomalies are detected as cysts or fistula and BCAs are the most common congenital neck masses. BCAs may show different presentations depending on age and gender distribution. In differential diagnosis, it may confuse with lymphadenopathies and benign/malignant lesions. Patient history, physical examination and imaging modalities helps during diagnosis. Definitive treatment is the excision of cyst or fistula with the entire of sinus tracts. Anomaly type and revision status were determined as the parameters that affecting recurrence.