FIRST BRANCHIAL CLEFT ANOMALY-PRESENTING AS RECURRENT POSTAURICULAR SWELLING

DR KC PRASAD; DR MANNA JOSE PAPPANACHERRY; DR LINU THOMAS

Volume : VIII, Issue : III, March - 2018

FIRST BRANCHIAL CLEFT ANOMALY-PRESENTING AS RECURRENT POSTAURICULAR SWELLING

Dr Kc Prasad, Dr Manna Jose Pappanacherry, Dr Linu Thomas

Abstract :

First anchial cleft anomalies encompass 10% of all anchial cleft defects. Due to misdiagnosis, management is often inadequate, recurrence is common and iatrogenic injuries of the facial nerve occur. A 26 year old female presented with recurrent, painful, postauricular swelling with right sided facial nerve palsy. Incision and drainage was performed twice in this region previously. A solitary, firm, tender swelling of 5x2cm in size, was seen in the right postauricular region with a sinus opening superior to the swelling. Investigations included HRCT temporal bone. She underwent excision of the cyst and fistulous tract. Histopathology report showed features consistent with epidermoid keratinous cyst. They should be suspected in patients with a cutaneous opening defined by the hyoid bone inferiorly, the sternocleidomastoid muscle posteriorly and the mandible anteriorly. Early diagnosis is needed to avoid recurrent infection and secondary development of a fistulous tract. Permanent cure requires complete surgical excision