ABSTRACT
Branchial cleft cysts are benign lesions caused by anomalous development of the brachial cleft. This report describes a 20-year-old girl with swelling on the right lateral aspect of the neck, which expanded slowly but progressively. The clinical suspicion was that of a branchial cleft cyst. Sonography revealed a homogeneously hypo- to anechoic mass with well-defined margins and no intralesional septa. Color Doppler reviewed no internal vascularization. The ultrasound examination confirmed the clinical diagnosis of a second branchial cleft cyst, demonstrating the cystic nature of the mass and excluding the presence of complications. For superficial lesions like these, ultrasound is the first-level imaging study of choice because it is non-invasive, rapid, low-cost, and does not involve exposure to ionizing radiation.
ABSTRACT
Thyroglossal duct cyst is the most common congenital neck mass in children and young adults. The authors present two cases affecting two patients aged 7 and 9 years, respectively, who had a palpable painless swelling in the submental region. In both patients ultrasound (US) examination showed an anechoic or hypoechoic rounded mass with well-defined margins thus confirming clinical suspicion of thyroglossal duct cyst. One patient also had a second, deep-lying, nonpalpaple cyst which communicated with the superficial cyst. These cases are typical and confirm that US is essential in suspected thyroglossal duct cyst to confirm clinical diagnosis, detect lesions which are not clinically appreciable due to their small size or deep location, to assess communication between the lesions and to detect possible complications.Thyroglossal duct cyst is the most common congenital neck mass in children and young adults. The authors present two cases affecting two patients aged 7 and 9 years, respectively, who had a palpable painless swelling in the submental region. In both patients ultrasound (US) examination showed an anechoic or hypoechoic rounded mass with well-defined margins thus confirming clinical suspicion of thyroglossal duct cyst. One patient also had a second, deep-lying, nonpalpaple cyst which communicated with the superficial cyst. These cases are typical and confirm that US is essential in suspected thyroglossal duct cyst to confirm clinical diagnosis, detect lesions which are not clinically appreciable due to their small size or deep location, to assess communication between the lesions and to detect possible complications.
ABSTRACT
The Sinding-Larsen-Johansson syndrome has a pathogenesis similar to that of the Osgood-Schlatter disorder and is the result of excessive force exerted by the patellar tendon on the lower pole of the patella. Clinically it is characterized by pain, which increases when the patellar is loaded during flexion, subpatellar swelling and functional limitation. The authors present a case of a 13-year-old boy who was a competitive youth team football player. He presented with anterior, spontaneous knee pain and swelling at the inferior pole of the patella. Ultrasonography (US) confirmed clinical diagnosis showing lesions typical of the Sinding-Larsen-Johansson syndrome. The patient was told to refrain from sports activity; after five months recovery was complete and US follow-up revealed no anomaly. The authors consider the case worthy of reporting because it is paradigmatic and to emphasize the role of US in the evaluation of the Sinding-Larsen-Johansson syndrome.
