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Case Reports
. 2021 May 13:9:2050313X211014515.
doi: 10.1177/2050313X211014515. eCollection 2021.

Collaural fistula (Work Type II first branchial cleft anomaly) with prolonged morbidity: A case report

Dorji Penjor  1 , Morimasa Kitamura  2
Affiliations
Case Reports

Collaural fistula (Work Type II first branchial cleft anomaly) with prolonged morbidity: A case report

Dorji Penjor et al. SAGE Open Med Case Rep. .

Abstract

Collaural fistula is a very rare Work Type II first branchial cleft anomaly in which there is a complete fistulous tract between external auditory canal and the neck. Misdiagnosis and mismanagement can lead to prolonged morbidity and complications due to repeated infections. We present a case of an 18-year-old lady with a recurrent discharging sinus on her neck for 4 years. She has been treated with repeated incision and drainage and multiple antibiotics in the past. Otoscopic examination revealed an opening on the floor of the left external auditory canal. A diagnosis of an infected collaural fistula was made. Complete excision of the fistulous tract was done after treatment of the active infection. On follow-up, there was no further recurrence at 1 year. Sound knowledge of embryology of branchial anomalies with good history and examination is important to make correct and early diagnosis to prevent morbidity.

Keywords: Branchial anomaly; branchial cleft; collaural fistula; neck abscess; otolaryngology.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declaration of conflicting interests: The author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship and/or publication of this article.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Sinus opening shown by the arrow.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Opening on the floor of the external auditory canal (arrow).
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
Dissection of the sinus tract with a nasogastric tube as a guide probe (arrow).
Figure 4.
Figure 4.
Sinus tract excised completely.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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