title: Second branchial cyst in the parapharyngealspace: a case report.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We report the clinical findings and management of a large retro- and parapharyngeal branchial cyst in a 54-year-old man whose only complaint was a 12-month history of snoring.
  
  
  METHODS
  Case report and a review of the world literature concerning parapharyngeal cysts are presented.
  
  
  RESULTS
  On computed tomography (CT) images, a well-marginated cystic mass was observed in the left retro- and parapharyngeal spaces, with displacement of the left internal and common carotid arteries. The cyst contained thick, sterile, yellowish pus, without malignant cells. We performed a transoral resection without any surgical complications. No recurrence was observed 2 years later.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Parapharyngeal branchial cysts are rare and often paucisymptomatic. The transoral approach can provide good exposure allowing complete resection without significant post-operative complications or cervical scarring.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, CHU Saint-Pierre, 322 Rue Haute, 1000 Brussels, Belgium. sven.saussez@umh.ac.be
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Saussez
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: De Maesschalk
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Mahillon
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Filleul
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Louryan
mesh_terms: D001934:Branchial Region; D003560:Cysts / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019647:Oral Surgical Procedures; D010608:Pharyngeal Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed