What is Second branchial cleft fistula?
Second branchial cleft fistulae are congenital anomalies of embryonic development of branchial apparatus with the external cutaneous ostium in the lateral neck connecting to the tonsillar fossa.
What is Branchial fistula?
Branchial cleft fistulae are rare congenital abnormalities that arise from the abnormal persistence of branchial apparatus remnants. A complete fistula is a tract that has an internal opening and an external opening. Fistulae are usually clinically apparent after birth with up to 80% being diagnosed before age 5 years.
How many branchial clefts are there?
Four branchial clefts
Four branchial clefts (also called “grooves”) form during the development of a human embryo.
Do branchial cleft cyst need to be removed?
The treatment for branchial cleft cysts and sinus tracts is surgical removal. There is no known medical therapy with the exception that infected branchial cleft cysts and sinus tracts do require initial antibiotic treatment. The infection should be resolved before surgery is performed.
What kind of doctor treats branchial cleft cyst?
Referral to an otolaryngologist for surgical excision is indicated.
How rare is branchial cleft cyst?
The exact incidence of branchial cleft cysts in the US population is unknown. Branchial cleft cysts are the most common congenital cause of a neck mass. An estimated 2-3% of cases are bilateral. A tendency exists for cases to cluster in families.
What is a second branchial cleft fistula?
A complete fistula is a tract that has an internal opening and an external opening. Second branchial cleft fistulae pass deep to second arch structures and over third … Branchial cleft fistulae are rare congenital abnormalities that arise from the abnormal persistence of branchial apparatus remnants.
What is the standard surgery for a second branchial arch fistula?
The standard surgery for a second branchial arch fistula is the stepladder approach originally described by Bailey in 1933 with two incisions in the neck that gives exposure of the fistula tract with less tissue dissection.
What are the anomalies of the branchial apparatus?
The branchial cyst, fistula, and sinuses are the anomalies of the branchial apparatus which consists of five mesodermal arches separated by invaginations of the ectoderm called as clefts. The branchial fistula is not a true fistula as it rarely has two openings.
What is the prevalence of bilateral first and second branchial arch anomalies?
Bilateral presentation is seen in 2–3% having a strong familial association. Congenital syndromes also have been associated with first and second branchial arch anomalies. Thorough clinical examination and investigations should be done to rule out these syndromes. Background