Lateral cervical bronchogenic cyst: an unusual cause of a lump in the neck.

BACKGROUND: Congenital cysts of the neck in children are not uncommon. Most of these are thyroglossal, branchial cleft, or less commonly, thymic cysts. Bronchial cysts rarely are initially seen as a neck mass. METHODS: Use of an illustrative case of a bronchogenic cyst initially seen as an upper lateral neck mass. CONCLUSIONS: We emphasize that although ectopic bronchogenic cysts are rare lesions of the head and neck, especially in the upper lateral neck, they should be included in the differential diagnosis in the evaluation of congenital neck cysts.

Hemangioma of the nasal septum: A clinicopathological profile.

Septal hemangioma is a rare cause of epistaxis and nasal obstruction. Ten cases were seen in our center over 25 years and constitute 31% of all cases of nasal hemangioma. The male to female ration was 2.4:1; patient age ranged between 14 and 63 years (average, 39 years). The main presenting symptom was epistaxis with progressive nasal obstruction. There was a positive history of trauma in 7 cases. Symptoms varied between 1.5 months to 4 years (average, 13 months). All tumors but one were located anteriorly in the septum and measured between 0.5 and 2 cm in diameter. Histologically they were well-defined benign neoplasms covered with stratified squamous epithelium and showed varying degrees of ulceration. In eight cases the core was composed of proliferating capillary-type vessels, and two were cavernous. Operative intervention is the treatment of choice, with recurrences likely in the event of incomplete excision (two of the ten cases recurred).

Mycobacterial cervical lymphadenitis.

Mycobacterial cervical lymphadenitis remains a diagnostic challenge for many clinicians despite current advances in diagnostic laboratory techniques. Although much has been done to prevent tuberculosis, cases of mycobacterial disease in endemic form still occur. Six hundred and forty-five patients with tuberculosis were diagnosed and treated at the American University of Beirut Medical Center during the period from 1970 to 1985. Twenty-nine (4.5%) of these patients had proven mycobacterial cervical lymphadenitis. We stress histopathologic examination as the single most important means for diagnosing mycobacterial cervical lymphadenitis. Operation in combination with antituberculous chemotherapy remain the treatments of choice.