Lateral cervical branchiogenic cyst: Report of two cases

• Published in: Japanese Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Vol. 30; no. 3; pp. 340 - 345
• Main Authors: IDA, Shuji, ISHII, Yasuhiko, TSUCHIDA, Kazuhiko, NARITA, Yoshihiro, AMEMIYA, Atsushi, MIYATA, Hidemi, UCHIDA, Yasunobu, DOTE, Tsuyoshi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Japanese Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons 1984
• Subjects: aspiration biopsy; branchiogenic cyst; lateral cervical cyst
• ISSN: 0021-5163; 2186-1579
• DOI: 10.5794/jjoms.30.340

We report on two branchiogenic cyst cases on the side of the neck. The first case was a 27 year-old male in whom the cyst developed on the upper left side of the neck. As CT, ultrasonic diagnosis and aspiration biopsy revealed nonatypical, flat eratinized cells, a diagnosis of branchiogenic cyst was made. Then the cyst was surgically excised. From histopathological findings that the inner wall was covered with stratified squamous epithelium and well-developed specific lymphatic tissue was observed in the lower layer of the epithelium, a definite diagnosis of branchogenic cyst was made. According to Bailey's classification, the cyst belonged to Type III, and the epithelial cord which extended toward the oropharynx. These findings suggested that the cyst originated from the second branchial cleft. The second case was a 52 year-old male with a cyst on the upper right side of the neck. A diagnosis of branchiogenic cyst was made by biopsy and the cyst was excised. According to Bailey's classification, it belonged to Type I. From the viewpoint of embryology, it was suspected to originate from the second branchial cleft. The embryologic mechanism, clinical findings and histopathological findings on these two cases were examined and the literatures are reviewed.