Vascular Surgery

Branchial clefts cysts (BCC) are uncommon
anomalies of embryonic development encountered
frequently by the otolaryngologists. They involve the
soft tissue of the neck and manifests as branchial cyst,
fistula or sinus. These anomalies represents about 20%
of neck masses in children although rare in adults with
bilateralism in about 1% cases.
(1,2) The branchial cleft
anomalies arises from the incomplete obliteration of the
branchial tract which results in the formation of
branchial cyst (75%) and sinus or fistula tract (25%).(3)
These anomalies commonly involves cervical, parotid
region and less commonly in mediastinum. Second
branchial anomalies are common comprises 95% of all
branchial cleft lesions. They are commonly located in
neck in relation to sternocleidomastoid muscle (SCM)
and carotid sheath.(4) Second BCC are classically seen
on anterior border of SCM muscle at the junction of
upper 1/3rd and lower 2/3rd of muscle lateral to the
carotid space and on the posterior margin of
submandibular gland. Many of these lesions may
remain unnoticed until infection occurs. We are
presenting a rare case of giant branchial cyst in supra
sternal space of burn with presentation of asymptomatic
progressively increasing mass in neck.
Keywords: Branchial cyst, Branchial fistula, Neck