title: First branchial groove anomaly.
abstract: First branchial groove anomalies are very rare. We report a case of a first branchial groove anomaly presented as an infected cyst in an 11-month-old child. Management of such lesions is complicated because of their close association with the facial nerve. Surgical management must include identification and protection of the facial nerve. Embryology and facial nerve disposition in relation to the anomaly are reviewed.
authors.affiliation: Department of ENT, Head and Neck Surgery, Torbay Hospital, Torquay.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hickey
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Joseph
mesh_terms: D001934:Branchial Region / Q000196:embryology; D001935:Branchioma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000196:embryology / Q000601:surgery; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005154:Facial Nerve / Q000196:embryology; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000196:embryology / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000175:diagnosis; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods