title: Fistula of the fourth branchial pouch.
abstract: Most of the congenital anomalies of the branchial apparatus are from the second arch, pouch, and cleft; some are from the first and third arches. Fourth branchial pouch remnants are very rare. We present a rare case of fourth branchial fistula, with characteristic clinical features of recurrent left-sided neck abscess that burst spontaneously, forming a fistula. Diagnosis of fourth branchial pouch fistula was confirmed by contrast radiography (ie, fistulogram and barium swallow) revealing the internal opening in the apex of the left pyriform fossa.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Safdarjang Hospital, New Delhi, India.
authors.forename: Neena
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Chaudhary
authors.forename: Alok
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gupta
authors.forename: Gul
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Motwani
authors.forename: Sanjeev
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kumar
mesh_terms: D001934:Branchial Region / Q000002:abnormalities*; D005402:Fistula / Q000151:congenital* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male