Surgery
Branchial Cyst
Age: Although congenital, it first appears around 20 to 25 yrs or more as the fluid it contains, accumulates slowly.
The swelling has a smooth surface and round borders. It is soft, cystic, fluctuant and transillumination negative.
Not very mobile because of its adherence to the sternomastoid muscle.
Fluctuation- almost negative is often difficult to elicit as the swelling is firm due to thick inspissated content.Z
Local lymph nodes (Deep cervical)-They are not enlarged. If so one should reconsider the diagnosis in favour of cold abscess.
Site-In the anterior triangleZ of the neck, partly under cover of the upper 1/3rd of the anterior border of SCMZ
Differential Diagnosis
- Cold abscess
- Cervical dermoid (inframyelohyoid variety).
- Carotid body tumor (Solid swelling).
- Submandibular gland swelling - solid swelling, bidigitally palpable.
- Solitary enlarged cervical lymph node.
Treatment
Excision of the cyst with entire epithelial lining otherwise recurrence will follow.
SOURCE REVISE
Clinical Medicine
Age:
Although congenital, it first appears around 20 to 25 yrs or more as the fluid it contains, accumulates slowly.
Siteβ
In the anterior triangle of the neck, partly under cover of the upper 1/3rd of anterior border of SCM
Read about pathophysiology p.521 (principles & practice of surgery)F
