An unexpected cyst of the ear lobule

Area of Science:

• Pediatric surgery
• Head and neck surgery
• Congenital anomalies

Background:

• Branchial cleft anomalies (BCA) are frequent congenital malformations in the pediatric head and neck region.
• Understanding BCA embryology aids in anticipating diagnosis for pediatric head and neck masses.
• Predictable anatomy of BCA types facilitates surgical planning for complete resection and recurrence prevention.

Observation:

• A case report of a 10-month-old male presenting with a first branchial cleft anomaly.
• The anomaly was unusually located in the ear lobule.
• This represents a previously undocumented site for a first BCA.

Findings:

• Detailed description of a first branchial cleft anomaly located in the ear lobule.
• Documentation of a rare anatomical presentation of a common congenital anomaly.

Implications:

• Highlights the importance of considering rare presentations of common pediatric head and neck anomalies.
• May influence diagnostic considerations and surgical approaches for branchial cleft anomalies.
• Contributes to the literature on the anatomical variations of branchial cleft anomalies.