Intrathyroidal branchial cleft cyst: a case report
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.18203/issn.2454-5929.ijohns20250799Keywords:
Intrathyroidal branchial cleft cyst,, Thyroid swelling, Surgical excisionAbstract
Intrathyroidal branchial cleft cyst is a rare entity in otolaryngology practice with few cases reported in the literature. Clinically, it mimics a thyroid swelling and the diagnosis is confirmed only by histopathology. The cyst walls are lined by predominantly non-keratinizing stratified squamous epithelium with characteristic subepithelial lymphoid tissue. This is a case report of right intrathyroidal branchial cleft cyst in a 50-year-old and a left intrathyroidal branchial cleft cyst in a twelve- year-old boy. Both patients underwent imaging followed by surgical management. A fourth branchial cleft cyst is very rare and may have varied presentation. Both patients with intrathyroidal branchial cleft cysts had complete surgical excision and are normal during regular follow ups. The presentation of a fourth branchial cleft cyst may occur as an intrathyroidal swelling. The recommended treatment of an intrathyroidal branchial cleft cyst is complete surgical excision of the branchial cyst with thyroidectomy. Misdiagnosis of a fourth branchial cyst can result in incomplete removal leading to recurrence. Awareness about the clinical manifestations of a fourth branchial anomaly is crucial for appropriate management.
Metrics
References
Lee HJ, Kim EK, Hong S. Sonographic detection of intrathyroidal branchial cleft cyst: a case report. Korean J Radiol. 2006;7(2):149-51. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3348/kjr.2006.7.2.149
Johnston R, Wei JL, Maddalozzo J. Intra-thyroid thyroglossal duct cyst as a differential diagnosis of thyroid nodule. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol. 2003;67(9):1027-30. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0165-5876(03)00185-X
Mandell DL. Head and neck anomalies related to the branchial apparatus. Otolaryngol Clin North Am. 2000;33(6):1309-32. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0030-6665(05)70283-8
Apel RL, Asa SL, Chalvardjian A, Li Volsi VA. Intrathyroidal lymphoepithelial cysts of probable branchial origin. Hum Pathol. 1994;25(11):1238-42. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/0046-8177(94)90042-6
Ryska A, Vokurka J, Michal M, Ludvíková M. Intrathyroidal lymphoepithelial cyst. A report of two cases not associated with Hashimoto's thyroiditis. Pathol Res Pract. 1997;193(11-12):777-81. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0344-0338(97)80056-8
Chi HS, Wang LF, Chiang FY, Kuo WR, Lee KW. Branchial cleft cyst as the initial impression of a metastatic thyroid papillary carcinoma: two case reports. Kaohsiung J Med Sci. 2007;23(12):634-8. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S1607-551X(08)70063-9
Ahuja AT, Chang AR, To E, Pang P, Ching AS, King AD, et al. Intrathyroidal lymphoepithelial (branchial) cyst: sonographic features of a rare lesion. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol. 2000;21(7):1340-3.
Senthilnathan M, Ganapathy S, Ramamurthy B. An Uncustomary Branchial Cleft Cyst Presentation With Associated Autoimmune Thyroiditis. Cureus. 2022;14(12):e33069. DOI: https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.33069
Lim-Tio SW, Judson R, Busmanis I, Zajac JD. An intra-thyroidal branchial cyst: a case report. Aust N Z J Surg. 1992;62(10):826-8. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1445-2197.1992.tb06931.x
Boonen A, Hens G, Meulemans J, Hermans R, Delaere P, Vander Poorten V. Fourth Branchial Anomalies: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Long-Term Outcome. Front Surg. 2021;8:748351. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fsurg.2021.748351
Liberman M, Kay S, Emil S, Flageole H, Nguyen LT, Tewfik TL, et al. Ten years of experience with third and fourth branchial remnants. J Pediatr Surg. 2002;37(5):685-90. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1053/jpsu.2002.32253
Kim H, Hong HS, Kwak JJ, Lee SW, Jeong SH. Branchial Cleft Cyst Carcinoma: A Case Report. I J Radiol. 2017;14(3):e39283. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5812/iranjradiol.39283
Chung EJ, Baek SK, Youn SW, Kim CH, Lee JH, Jung KY. A case of bilateral intrathyroidal branchial cleft cyst in a newborn. J Pediatr Surg. 2010;45(1):E1-4. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2009.09.038
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
