title: A rare variant of first branchial cleft fistula.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We report an extremely rare variant of first branchial cleft anomaly.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 15-year-old girl presented with a history of recurrent mucopurulent discharge from an opening in the left infra-auricular region, since birth. Computed tomography fistulography showed a tortuous tract measuring approximately 4.61 cm, extending anteroinferiorly and medially from the external inframeatal opening to the lateral nasopharyngeal wall (anterior to the fossa of Rosenmuller). The tract was connected to the deep lobe of the parotid gland and lay 0.67 cm anterior to the carotid artery and posterior to the medial pterygoid muscle.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This was an extremely rare variant of first branchial cleft fistula. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of its type to be reported. Computed tomography fistulography is the imaging modality of choice for the diagnosis of branchial cleft fistula, and will also assist surgical planning.
authors: Department of ENT, Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar Memorial Hospital, Pt JNM Medical College, Raipur Chattishgarh, India. drsunilramnani@gmail.com
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Ramnani
authors: V
authors: V
authors: Mungutwar
authors: N K
authors: NK
authors: Goyal
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Bansal
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001934:Branchial Region / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D003287:Contrast Media; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009302:Nasopharyngeal Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D016156:Respiratory Tract Fistula / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media