A combined third and fourth branchial arch anomaly: clinical and embryological implications.
Embryological abnormalities of the branchial apparatus present an interesting diagnostic and surgical challenge. Thymic cysts are a rare form of branchial apparatus anomaly, resulting from abnormal development of the third pharyngeal pouch. We present two cases of a thymic cyst coexisting with a non recurrent inferior laryngeal nerve (NRILN), two anomalies that to our knowledge have not been associated previously. A possible embryological explication for this double abnormality is discussed, while the clinical implications of this association are presented.
Mehrzad
H
H
Department of Otolaryngology, St. Mary's Hospital, Paddington, London, UK.
Georgalas
C
C
Huins
C
C
Tolley
N S
NS
D000015:Abnormalities, Multiple; D000328:Adult; D001934:Branchial Region / Q000002:abnormalities*; D001935:Branchioma / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003560:Cysts / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D010608:Pharyngeal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed