Two Cases of Presumed Fourth Branchial Cleft Cyst in Neonate / 대한이비인후과학회지

ABSTRACT

A cystic mass of the neck causing neonatal respiratory distress is usually cystic hygroma. A branchial cleft cyst, however, also can cause respiratory distress on rare cases. The fourth branchial cleft cyst is very rare entity and, until now, only 35 cases have been reported worldwide. There have been some controversial attempts to prove its anatomical route through embryological background. Some reports, however, even suggested that it might be impossible to prove its entity anatomically. Recently, reports are coming out on the diagnostic approaches using not only anatomical pathway but also pathological impression. Authors experienced in neonates two cases of lateral cystic neck mass which were pathologically presumed to be fourth branchial cleft cyst. We are reporting these two cases with their diagnostic basis and the related literature.