title: First branchial cleft fistula presenting with internal opening on the Eustachian tube: Illustrated cases and literature review.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Two cases of first branchial cleft fistula with internal opening on the Eustachian tube are reported and the diagnosis, management and embryological hypothesis are discussed.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective study and review of the literature.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Both patients were young boys with first branchial cleft anomaly clearly identified by computed tomography fistulography scan and direct Methylene Blue dye injection. In both cases, surgical removal revealed a fistula with internal opening located on the Eustachian tube near the nasopharynx.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The main embryological theories and classification are reviewed. A connection between the theories of first branchial apparatus development and the classification by Work might explain the reported clinical association.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing 100034, China.
authors.forename: Yuhe
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Tiancheng
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Junfang
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Xue
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jia
authors.forename: Shuifang
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Xiao
authors.forename: Enmin
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Zhao
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001934:Branchial Region / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D017577:Cutaneous Fistula / Q000151:congenital* / Q000601:surgery; D005064:Eustachian Tube / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D009305:Nasopharynx / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed