Second branchial cleft cyst: about 34 cases

the amygdaloid cyst is a rare laterocervical cystic tumor arising from the second branchial cleft. It accounts for 2% of laterocervical tumors. analyze the anatomo-clinical characteristics and discuss the management and therapeutic indications of second branchial cleft cysts. we report a 14-year retrospective study (2000-2013) concerning 34 cases of amygdaloid cysts diagnosted and treated at ENT department of Farhat Hached hospital of Sousse. The average age of our patients was 27 years with a sex ratio 0.8. Physical examination found a cervical mass in all the cases: jugulo-carotid in 26 cases (77%), supraclavicular in two cases (6%). The location was not specified in 6 cases (17%). Cervical ultrasound was performed in 30 patients, and showed a cystic mass in 17 cases. Complement by CT was performed in 5 patients suggesting the diagnosis of second branchial cleft cysts in two cases. One patient had an MRI for a large supraclavicular mass. A fine needle aspiration biopsy was performed in 13 patients. All patients underwent surgery with complete excision of the cyst. Histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of second branchial cleft cysts, with 2 cases of malignant degeneration. One case of recurrence was noted. Second branchial cleft cysts are relatively rare malformations. Their diagnosis is confirmed by pathological examination. The treatment is surgical.