title: Branchial cleft cyst in a bull.
abstract: Branchial cleft cyst was diagnosed in a 6-month-old Angus bull with a large swelling in the distal ventral neck region. A definitive diagnosis could not be attained from results of the clinical examination, radiography, and ultrasonography. Diagnosis was made from histologic examination of the surgically removed mass. Branchial cleft cysts are remnants of the branchial apparatus and are considered rare in domestic animals. The differential diagnosis should include the thymic form of bovine viral leukosis, thymoma, abscess, goiter, and thyroid gland tumors as well as other rare cysts that can develop in the same location.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, School of Veterinary Medicine, Tufts University, North Grafton, MA 01536.
authors.forename: G E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Hennig
authors.forename: R R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Steckel
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001934:Branchial Region / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D002417:Cattle; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D003560:Cysts / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male