title: [Mode of presentation of fistula of the first branchial cleft].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The rarity and diverse presentations of first branchial cleft anomalies lead to misdiagnosis and inadequate treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  We report 21 cases of such anomalies in children aged 7 months to 8 years whose diagnosis was presumed on clinical presentation and confirmed at surgery.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The symptoms were intractable otorrhea, periauricular, cervical and parotid suppuration, which were present in two, 12, five and three cases, respectively. Two children had an abnormal eardrum and three an epidermic cyst in the external ear canal.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The diagnosis of a first branchial cleft anomaly must be considered in any patient with a history of recurrent periauricular swelling, a sinus located high in the neck, or a mass in the external auditory canal.
authors.affiliation: Service d'ORL, hôpital Robert-Debré, Paris, France.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Possel
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: François
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Van den Abbeele
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Narcy
mesh_terms: D001934:Branchial Region / Q000002:abnormalities*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005402:Fistula / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male
vernacular_title: Mode de présentation des fistules de la première fente branchiale.