Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-2plfb Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-28T09:57:14.775Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Branchial cyst—to endoscope or not?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 June 2007

A. P. Bath*
Affiliation:
Nottingham
G. E. Murty
Affiliation:
Nottingham
P. J. Bradley
Affiliation:
Nottingham
*
ENT Department, Norfolk and Norwich Hospital, Brunswick Road, Norwich NR1 3SR.

Abstract

Cervical cystic metastases are uncommon, originating predominantly from an oropharyngeal primary. Pre-operative differentiation from a branchial cyst can prove difficult. Three cases which presented clinically as branchial cysts but were subsequently found to be cystic metastases are described, and the literature is reviewed. Endoscopy, ipsilateral tonsillectomy and blind biopsies of Waldeyer's ring, combined with excision of the cervical lesion are recommended in patients over 40 years old.

Type
Clinical Records
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 1992

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

Batsakis, J. (1981) The pathology of head and neck tumours: The occult primary and metastases to the head and neck. Head and Neck Surgery, 3: 409423.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Foss, R., Warnock, G., Clark, W., Graham, S., Morton, A., Yunan, E. (1991) Malignant cyst of the lateral aspect of the neck: Branchial cleft carcinoma or metastasis? Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine and Oral Pathology, 71 (2): 214217.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Granstrom, G., Edstrom, S. (1989) The relationship between cervical cysts and tonsillar carcinoma in adults. Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, 47: 1620.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Loughran, C. (1991) Case report: Cystic lymph node metastasis from occult thyroid carcinoma: A sonographic mimic of a branchial cleft cyst. Clinical Radiology, 43: 213214.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Maran, A. G. D., Buchanan, D. (1978) Branchial cysts, sinuses and fistulae. Clinical Otolaryngology, 3: 7792.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Marlowe, E., Goodman, R., Mobini, J., Dave, U. (1984) Cystic metastasis from occult tonsillar primary simulating branchiogenic carcinoma: the case for tonsillectomy as a ‘grand biopsy’. Laryngoscope, 94: 833835.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Micheau, C., Cachin, Y., Caillou, B. (1974) Cystic metastases in the neck revealing occult carcinoma of the tonsil. Cancer, 33: 228233.3.0.CO;2-S>CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Micheau, C., Klijanienko, J., Luboinski, B., Richard, J. (1990) Socalled branchiogenic carcinoma is actually cystic metastases in the neck from a tonsillar primary. Laryngoscope, 100: 878883.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Richard, J., Micheau, C. (1977) Malignant cervical adenopathies from carcinomas of unknown origin. Tumori, 63: 249258.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed