Intraoral Approach for Parapharyngeal Branchial Cleft Cysts

Ear Nose Throat J. 2024 Sep;103(9):NP541-NP544. doi: 10.1177/01455613211067846. Epub 2022 Jan 28.

Abstract

Branchial cleft cyst (BCC) most frequently arises from the second branchial cleft and is located anterior to the sternocleidomastoid muscle at the mandibular angle. However, very rarely, this may occur in the parapharyngeal space. Interestingly, the parapharyngeal BCC is frequently misdiagnosed as a peritonsillar abscess. In this study, we reported 2 cases of parapharyngeal BCC misdiagnosed as peritonsillar abscess.

Keywords: branchial cleft cyst; laser; parapharyngeal space; peritonsillar abscess.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Branchioma* / diagnosis
  • Branchioma* / surgery
  • Diagnostic Errors
  • Female
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms / pathology
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms / surgery
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Parapharyngeal Space* / diagnostic imaging
  • Parapharyngeal Space* / pathology
  • Parapharyngeal Space* / surgery
  • Peritonsillar Abscess / diagnosis
  • Peritonsillar Abscess / surgery