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Branchial cleft cyst or sinus in Adult
Other Resources UpToDate PubMed

Branchial cleft cyst or sinus in Adult

Contributors: Craig N. Burkhart MD, Dean Morrell MD, Belinda Tan MD, PhD, Lowell A. Goldsmith MD, MPH
Other Resources UpToDate PubMed

Synopsis

Branchial cleft cyst or sinus is a rare disorder resulting from incomplete closure of the branchial clefts. The second branchial cleft is implicated much more so than the third cleft. This typically occurs at 4-8 weeks of embryologic growth. Cysts, sinuses, or fistulae can present at birth at the inferior neck. At times these small cysts or skin tag-like remnants contain cartilage. Autosomal dominant inheritance has been reported.

Sometimes a branchial cleft cyst or sinus is not recognized until later in childhood, when it becomes infected. Rarely, it may go unnoticed until it becomes infected in adulthood. A laryngocele may present with a neck mass and is associated with hoarseness and swelling.

Codes

ICD10CM:
Q18.0 – Sinus, fistula and cyst of branchial cleft

SNOMEDCT:
59857007 – Branchial cleft cyst

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Last Updated:01/12/2022
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Branchial cleft cyst or sinus in Adult
A medical illustration showing key findings of Branchial cleft cyst or sinus : Anterior neck, Cyst, Smooth nodule, Neck mass
Clinical image of Branchial cleft cyst or sinus - imageId=324828. Click to open in gallery.  caption: 'A smooth, yellowish papule with surrounding erythema, on the lateral neck.'
A smooth, yellowish papule with surrounding erythema, on the lateral neck.
Copyright © 2024 VisualDx®. All rights reserved.