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Published on: September 20, 2024
Complete congenital third branchial fistula with left-sided, recurrent, suppurative thyroiditis
J Madana1, D Yolmo, S Gopalakrishnan
1Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, Pondicherry, India. maddyy@gmail.com
The Journal of Laryngology and Otology
|February 17, 2010
Summary
This case report details an extremely rare congenital third branchial arch fistula in a child. Surgical excision confirmed the complete fistula, highlighting diagnostic imaging for rare congenital anomalies.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Surgery
- Congenital Malformations
- Branchial Cleft Anomalies
Background:
- Congenital third branchial arch fistulas are rare developmental abnormalities.
- These fistulas typically present with recurrent infections or drainage from the neck.
Observation:
- A nine-year-old boy presented with a congenital opening on the anterior neck and recurrent swelling.
- Computed tomography (CT) fistulography revealed a complete tract from the skin to the pyriform sinus.
Findings:
- Surgical excision of the complete third branchial arch fistula was successfully performed.
- The patient experienced no recurrence at a 22-month follow-up.
Implications:
- This case highlights the possibility of complete third branchial arch fistulas presenting at unusual anterior neck sites.
- CT fistulography with pyriform sinus dye injection is crucial for intraoperative tract delineation in such rare cases.
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