eMedicine Specialties > Dermatology > Pediatric Diseases

Branchial Cleft Cyst: Follow-up

Author: Chih-Ho Hong, MD, FRCPC, Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Dermatology and Skin Science, University of British Columbia, Canada
Coauthor(s): Richard Crawford, MD, FRCPC, Head of Dermatology, Clinical Professor, Department of Medicine, Divisions of Pathology and Dermatology, University of British Columbia
Contributor Information and Disclosures

Updated: Jun 16, 2009

Follow-up

Further Outpatient Care

  • Postoperatively, patients should be monitored for branchial cleft cyst recurrence.
  • Because some patients have bilateral branchial cleft cyst lesions, the contralateral side should be examined.

Complications

  • Untreated branchial cleft cyst lesions are prone to recurrent infection and abscess formation with resultant scar formation and possible compromise to local structures.
  • Complications of surgical excision of branchial cleft cysts result from damage to nearby vascular or neural structures, which include carotid vessels and the facial, hypoglossal, vagus, and lingual nerves.

Prognosis

  • Following surgical excision of branchial cleft cysts, recurrence is uncommon, with a risk estimated at 3%, unless previous surgery or recurrent infection has occurred, in which case, it may be as high as 20%.

Patient Education

  • Patients should be reassured that branchial cleft cysts are benign.

Miscellaneous

Medicolegal Pitfalls

  • Failure to refer patients to an experienced head and neck surgeon is a pitfall. Patients should be referred to a surgeon experienced in head and neck surgery for surgical removal under general anesthesia.
 
Acknowledgments

The authors and editors of eMedicine gratefully acknowledge the contributions of previous Chief Editor, William D. James, MD, to the development and writing of this article.



More on Branchial Cleft Cyst

Overview: Branchial Cleft Cyst
Differential Diagnoses & Workup: Branchial Cleft Cyst
Treatment & Medication: Branchial Cleft Cyst
Follow-up: Branchial Cleft Cyst
References
[ CLOSE WINDOW ]

References

  1. Wagner AM, Hansen RC. Neonatal skin and skin disorders. In: Schachner LA, Hansen RC, eds. Pediatric Dermatology. Vol 1. 2nd ed. New York, NY: Churchill Livingston; 1995:291-3.

  2. Doi O, Hutson JM, Myers NA, McKelvie PA. Branchial remnants: a review of 58 cases. J Pediatr Surg. Sep 1988;23(9):789-92. [Medline].

  3. Little JW, Rickles NH. The histogenesis of the branchial cyst. Am J Pathol. Mar 1967;50(3):533-47. [Medline].

  4. Rickles NH, Little JW. The histogenesis of the branchial cyst. II. A study of the lining epithelium. Am J Pathol. May 1967;50(5):765-77. [Medline].

  5. Telander RL, Deane SA. Thyroglossal and branchial cleft cysts and sinuses. Surg Clin North Am. Aug 1977;57(4):779-91. [Medline].

  6. Anand TS, Anand CS, Chaurasia BD. Seven cases of branchial cyst and sinuses in four generations. Hum Hered. 1979;29(4):213-6. [Medline].

  7. Bloch R. Images in emergency medicine. Branchial cleft cyst. Ann Emerg Med. Mar 2006;47(3):291, 308. [Medline].

  8. Rosa PA, Hirsch DL, Dierks EJ. Congenital neck masses. Oral Maxillofac Surg Clin North Am. Aug/2008;20:339-52. [Medline].

  9. Donegan JO. Congenital neck masses. In: Cummings CW, Schuller DE, eds. Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery. 2nd ed. St. Louis, Mo: Mosby; 1993:1554-9.

  10. Kim MG, Kim SG, Lee JH, Eun YG, Yeo SG. The therapeutic effect of OK-432 (picibanil) sclerotherapy for benign neck cysts. Laryngoscope. Dec 2008;118(12):2177-81. [Medline].

  11. Thompson LD. Branchial cleft cyst. Ear Nose Throat J. Nov 2004;83(11):740. [Medline].

[ CLOSE WINDOW ]

Further Reading

[ CLOSE WINDOW ]

Keywords

branchial cleft cyst, branchial cyst, lateral cervical cyst, congenital epithelial cyst

[ CLOSE WINDOW ]

Contributor Information and Disclosures

Author

Chih-Ho Hong, MD, FRCPC, Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Dermatology and Skin Science, University of British Columbia, Canada
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Richard Crawford, MD, FRCPC, Head of Dermatology, Clinical Professor, Department of Medicine, Divisions of Pathology and Dermatology, University of British Columbia
Richard Crawford, MD, FRCPC is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, American Society of Dermatopathology, Pacific Dermatologic Association, and Society for Investigative Dermatology
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Medical Editor

Jean Paul Ortonne, MD, Chair, Department of Dermatology, Professor, Hospital L'Archet, Nice University, France
Jean Paul Ortonne, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology and American Dermatological Association
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Pharmacy Editor

Michael J Wells, MD, Associate Professor, Department of Dermatology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
Michael J Wells, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, American Medical Association, and Texas Medical Association
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Managing Editor

Edward F Chan, MD, Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine
Edward F Chan, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, American Society of Dermatopathology, and Society for Investigative Dermatology
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

CME Editor

Joel M Gelfand, MD, MSCE, Medical Director, Clinical Studies Unit, Assistant Professor, Department of Dermatology, Associate Scholar, Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Pennsylvania
Joel M Gelfand, MD, MSCE is a member of the following medical societies: Society for Investigative Dermatology
Disclosure: AMGEN Consulting fee Consulting; AMGEN Grant/research funds None; Genentech Consulting fee Consulting; Centocor Consulting fee Consulting; Centocor Grant/research funds None; Covance Consulting fee Consulting; Shire  Consulting

Chief Editor

Dirk M Elston, MD, Director, Department of Dermatology, Geisinger Medical Center
Dirk M Elston, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

 
 
HONcode

We subscribe to the
HONcode principles of the
Health On the Net Foundation

All material on this website is protected by copyright, Copyright© 1994- by Medscape.
This website also contains material copyrighted by 3rd parties.

DISCLAIMER: The content of this Website is not influenced by sponsors. The site is designed primarily for use by qualified physicians and other medical professionals. The information contained herein should NOT be used as a substitute for the advice of an appropriately qualified and licensed physician or other health care provider. The information provided here is for educational and informational purposes only. In no way should it be considered as offering medical advice. Please check with a physician if you suspect you are ill.