[Latero-cervical branchial cysts and fistulas]

Twenty-four cases of cysts and fistulae of the lateral part of the neck are presented. They come from the very important modification in the branchial apparatus arising during the embryogenesis of the neck. We found these vestigal anomalies moreover under the mandibula before the sterno-cleido-mastoidean muscle, but every where in the lateral part of the neck too. The differential diagnosis must be done between lymph nodes infections, dermoid cysts, benign and malignant tumors. Therefore the puncture seems very contributive. The best therapy is for everybody the radical removal.