Branchial Cyst
A branchial cyst is a fluid-filled sac that occurs in the cervix, usually in the upper half of the cervix.
Incidence – Age
Branchial cysts are uncommon and may not appear at a certain age, often occurring in young adulthood and childhood.
Causes
The causes of branchial cysts are unknown. There are a number of theories. One proposal suggests that they are remnants of the branchial cleft in the fetus.
Symptoms
Patients with branchial cysts usually present with cervical swelling in the upper half of the cervix a short distance from the lower jaw. They are usually painless, but sometimes, if infected, they can become enlarged, painful, or tender. They tend to grow slowly and can vary in size.
If a branchial cyst becomes infected, it can become an abscess that requires urgent drainage and subsequent surgical removal.
Branchial Cyst – Diagnostic Tests
Ultrasound is sufficient to make the diagnosis; in exceptional cases, CT or MRI is needed. A definitive diagnosis is made by histological examination of the cyst after it has been removed.
Branchial Cyst – Treatment
Branchial cysts are completely benign and fairly easy to diagnose. However, they must be removed
due to the risk of enlargement and infection. The possibility of a malignant cervical mass is almost excluded. When the cyst becomes inflamed, antimicrobial treatment must be administered initially and after several days of treatment, the cyst must be removed, otherwise, the likelihood of recurrence is increased.
Surgery is the definitive treatment of the branchial cyst, under general anesthesia, and after a one-day hospital stay. The incision is made on the fold of skin on the neck above the swelling. In this way, the mass is exposed and removed. In some cases, the presence of a fistula connecting the cyst to the pharynx may be found.
