Unusual coexisting thyroglossal duct cyst and second branchial cleft fistula in an adult

Coexistence of thyroglossal duct cyst and second branchial cleft cyst in a young woman: A case report and literature review

Introduction

Thyroglossal cysts represent 70% of congenital neck anomalies, and second branchial cleft anomalies are the most common anomalies (90%) of the branchial apparatus. However, their coexistence, especially in adults, is very rare.

Presentation of case

A 23-year-old woman presented with a 1-year history of lateral left neck swelling and midline swelling. Imaging and histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of a thyroglossal duct cyst and a second branchial cleft cyst. The Sistrunk procedure was performed for surgical excision of the masses.

Discussion

Only three cases of a coexisting thyroglossal duct cyst and branchial cleft have been reported.

Conclusion

When encountering patients, even adults, with neck lesions, clinicians must keep in mind the possibility of a coexistence of a thyroglossal duct and a branchial cleft cyst.

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Thyroglossal cysts represent 70% of congenital neck anomalies.

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Second branchial cleft anomalies are the most common branchial apparatus anomalies.

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Only three cases of coexisting thyroglossal duct and branchial cleft cysts have been reported.

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We present a rare case of a young woman with the two cysts coexisting.

Unusual coexistence of first and second branchial fistulas: clinical case and review of the literature

Branchial fistulas are uncommon in the clinical setting. The coexistence of first and second branchial fistulas has not been previously reported. We herein describe a 12-year-old girl who presented with a 2-year history of repeated swelling and purulence behind the right earlobe and neck. According to the patient’s physical and auxiliary examination findings, she was diagnosed with coexisting first and second branchial fistulas, both of which were completely removed by surgery. No clinical signs of fistula recurrence were present at the patient’s 20-month postoperative follow-up. Ipsilateral coexisting first and second branchial fistulas are very rare; thus, a false-positive diagnosis can easily occur if the doctor does not carefully perform specialized physical examinations. Surgery is an effective method for treating this condition. Adequate preoperative imaging preparation is imperative to ensure the most effective course of treatment. The purpose of this article is to improve clinicians’ awareness of this disease, thereby effectively reducing the rates of missed diagnosis and recurrence.