Atypical first branchial cleft fistula: A case report

Abstract

Introduction: First branchial cleft anomalies (FBCA) are rare. They have an estimated incidence of 1 in 100,000. Type I are those that embryologically duplicate the membrane (cutaneous) external auditory canal. The aim of this case is to describe an unusual path of a type II first branchial cleft fistula tract in a 3 years old child and its surgical management in the academic hospital of Casablanca.

Case presentation: This case is about a 3 year old girl who presented to the Ear Nose Throat (ENT) consultation for recurrent right lateral cervical infection. Clinical examination found an unsightly scar attached to an orifice giving pus located near the right mandibular angle suggesting type II first branchial cleft anomaly. Surgical excision was performed under general anesthesia by the superficial parotidectomy approach, the facial nerve was identified and preserved. The fistula cord was dissected and followed, it went under the facial nerve and the parorid gland to end under the digastric muscle where we tied it up. The postoperative check-up did not show any complications. The follow-up period was 12 months; the clinical examination did not find any sign of recurrence.

Conclusion: First branchial cleft fistula are rare and can be in form of cyst or fistula. Its management is surgical excision keeping the tract cyst of the fistula intact with facial nerve preservation.

Keywords: Branchial cleft anomalies; Branchial cleft fistula; Facial nerve.

Fig. 1

Picture of the child showing the right laterocervical cleft fistula.

Fig. 2

Per-operative view of the right cleft fistula course with dissected facial nerve.