Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-t5tsf Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-14T15:16:21.472Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

A rare variant of first branchial cleft fistula

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 July 2009

S Ramnani*
Affiliation:
Department of ENT, Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar Memorial Hospital is associated to Pt JNM Medical College, Raipur Chattishgarh, India
V Mungutwar
Affiliation:
Department of ENT, Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar Memorial Hospital is associated to Pt JNM Medical College, Raipur Chattishgarh, India
N K Goyal
Affiliation:
Department of ENT, Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar Memorial Hospital is associated to Pt JNM Medical College, Raipur Chattishgarh, India
A Bansal
Affiliation:
Department of ENT, Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar Memorial Hospital is associated to Pt JNM Medical College, Raipur Chattishgarh, India
*
Address of correspondence: Dr Sunil Ramnani, Assistant Professor, Department of ENT, Pt JNM Medical College & Dr BRAM Hospital, Raipur 492001 Chattishgarh, India. E-mail: [email protected]

Abstract

Objective:

We report an extremely rare variant of first branchial cleft anomaly.

Case report:

A 15-year-old girl presented with a history of recurrent mucopurulent discharge from an opening in the left infra-auricular region, since birth. Computed tomography fistulography showed a tortuous tract measuring approximately 4.61 cm, extending anteroinferiorly and medially from the external inframeatal opening to the lateral nasopharyngeal wall (anterior to the fossa of Rosenmuller). The tract was connected to the deep lobe of the parotid gland and lay 0.67 cm anterior to the carotid artery and posterior to the medial pterygoid muscle.

Conclusion:

This was an extremely rare variant of first branchial cleft fistula. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of its type to be reported. Computed tomography fistulography is the imaging modality of choice for the diagnosis of branchial cleft fistula, and will also assist surgical planning.

Type
Clinical Records
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2009

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1Arndal, H, Bonding, P. First branchial cleft anomaly. Clin Otolaryngol 1996;21:203–7CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
2D'Souza, AR, Uppal, HS, De, R, Zeitoun, H. Updating concepts of first branchial cleft defects: a literature review. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol 2002;62:103–9CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
3Whetstone, J, Branstetter, BF IV, Hirsch, BE. Fluoroscopic and CT fistulography of the first branchial cleft. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol 2006;27:1817–19Google ScholarPubMed
4Olsen, KD, Maragos, NE, Weiland, LH. First branchial cleft anomalies. Laryngoscope 1980;90:423–36Google ScholarPubMed
5Work, WP. Newer concepts of first branchial cleft defects. Laryngoscope 1972;82:1581–93CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
6Lanisnik, B, Didanovic, V, Cizmarevic, B. First branchial cleft anomaly, a case for misdiagnosis. Wien Klin Wochenschr 2004;116(suppl 2):72–4Google ScholarPubMed
7Benson, MT, Dalen, K, Mancuso, AA, Kerr, HH, Cacciarelli, AA, Mafee, MF. Congenital anomalies of the branchial apparatus: embryology and pathologic anatomy. Radiographics 1992;12:943–60Google ScholarPubMed