title: First branchial cleft anomaly, a case for misdiagnosis.
abstract: First branchial cleft anomaly is a rare condition that is often misdiagnosed and falsely mistreated before complete and definitive surgical treatment. Its origin is uncertain and the presence of ectodermal and sometimes also mesodermal elements has led some authors to the conclusion that it represents buried nests of cells forming the first branchial cleft and the underlying mesoderm. First branchial cleft anomaly can be presented as a cystic lesion, fistula or sinus extending towards the membranous external ear canal. The sinus tract runs through the parotid gland in close association with the facial nerve. There is no imaging method capable of identifying a first branchial cleft anomaly with certainty. The danger of facial nerve injury during surgery and the failure to identify the sinus tract running to the external ear canal are the main reasons for incomplete excision. The facial nerve must be identified and preserved and the lesion completely excised. Facial nerve injury is more common in attempts to remove recurrent branchial cleft lesions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Cervicofacial Surgery, Maribor Teaching Hospital, Maribor, Slovenia.
authors.forename: Bostjan
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Lanisnik
authors.forename: Vojko
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Didanovic
authors.forename: Bogdan
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Cizmarevic
mesh_terms: D001706:Biopsy; D001934:Branchial Region / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D002675:Child, Preschool; D000013:Congenital Abnormalities / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D003951:Diagnostic Errors; D018450:Disease Progression; D004424:Ear Canal / Q000002:abnormalities; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed