Second Branchial Cleft Cyst Mimicking Large Cervical Lymphadenopathy: Differential Diagnosis

OpenAlex İngilizce

Neck masses are common in children. Enlarged, palpable lymph nodes are common due to the reactive hyperplasia of lymphatic tissue and are mostly due to local inflammatory process. Differential diagnosis of persistent nodular changes in the neck in children are different than adults. Because, congenital abnormalities and infectious diseases are more frequent than malignancies in this age group. We have described second branchial cleft cyst in a 14-year-old boy emphasizing the diagnostic difficulties of this type of lesions and the clinical aspects as well as the details of surgical treatment. Branchial cyst should be remembered in the differential diagnosis of any lateral neck swelling, regardless of whether the swelling is solid or cystic, painful or painless, especially when it occurs in the first three decades of life.