title: First branchial cleft cysts presenting as parotid tumors.
abstract: Masses of the parotid gland region can be caused by a variety of different conditions, most commonly neoplasms of a benign or malignant nature. A rare cause for parotid tumors is the embryonologic remnant of first branchial cleft cysts. We reviewed branchial cysts for a 10-year period at the three teaching hospitals in Akron, OH. First branchial cleft cysts, or parotid lympho-epithelial cysts, were found to be a very rare condition presenting as parotid tumors. The surgeon should always be aware of these cysts as a possibility in the differential diagnosis of parotid masses in the infant and adult.
authors.affiliation: Plastic Surgery Residency Program, Akron City Hospital, OH 44309.
authors.forename: W M
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Baader
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Lewis
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001935:Branchioma / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery; D002648:Child; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010307:Parotid Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D012189:Retrospective Studies