title: Spontaneous resolution of a branchial cleft cyst without intervention: a previously unreported outcome.
abstract: Branchial cleft cysts typically present as a persistent mass in the anterior triangle of the neck. Diagnosis is made by imaging and fine needle aspiration cytology and is confirmed histologically after excision. We report a branchial cleft cyst in a 27-year-old woman that resolved spontaneously over several weeks without surgical intervention. To the best of our knowledge this is the first report of such a case.
authors.affiliation: Maxillofacial Unit, Queen Alexandra Hospital, Portsmouth PO6 3LY, UK. Electronic address: Peter.brennan@porthosp.nhs.uk.
authors.forename: Peter A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Brennan
authors.affiliation: Maxillofacial Unit, Queen Alexandra Hospital, Portsmouth PO6 3LY, UK.
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Critchlow
authors.affiliation: Maxillofacial Unit, Queen Alexandra Hospital, Portsmouth PO6 3LY, UK.
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rehman
authors.affiliation: Maxillofacial Unit, Queen Alexandra Hospital, Portsmouth PO6 3LY, UK.
authors.forename: Deepak
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Thomas
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D044963:Biopsy, Fine-Needle / Q000379:methods; D001935:Branchioma / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D009365:Neoplasm Regression, Spontaneous / Q000473:pathology*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods; D018608:Ultrasonography, Doppler / Q000379:methods
keywords: Branchial cleft cyst; Management; Spontaneous regression; Ultrasound