Management of first branchial cleft anomalies: report of two cases

Embryological anomalies of the first branchial apparatus result in rare forms of developmental abnormality of the head and neck. Their presentation may be similar to other conditions and they may easily be overlooked by the unwary when considering the differential diagnosis of a parotid swelling or a neck sinus. Consequently, they may be mismanaged on one or more occasions. We encountered two patients in whom such problems arose and conclude that appropriate investigation and management by a team skill ed in surgery of this region is necessary if a satisfactory outcome is to be achieved.